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BIRIPI WOMAN OF NORTH COAST OF NSW OPERA HOUSE ELDERS ADDRESS 2000 RESIDENT & ELDER OF "THE BLOCK" REDFERN ONE OF THE ELDERS WHO LED BRIDGE WALK 2000 IN SYDNEY DIPLOMA OF THEOLOGY AT NUNGALINYA INDIGENOUS MULTI- DENOMINATIONAL BIBLE COLLEGE IN DARWIN. GRADUATED 2005. |
 Photo - Ali & chauffeur Stephen at The Block Redfern about to leave for Ali's meeting with Nelson Mandela. |
ALI'S ENDORSEMENT:-
"I Ali Golding a Biripi woman from the north coast of NSW grew up on an Aboriginal mission 2 miles outside of Taree at Purfleet. As a child I remember the entrance going into the mission there were two great big tree logs each side of the ramp. Another one laid across the top. Also right in the centre was a big yellow round symbol and written on that was the word Sunrise. The symbols at the Mission entrance meant we were a community of a black race. The yellow symbol was the energy spirit connected with the spirit of the community and was a guiding light to our pathway as we journeyed this sacred land. The land and me are connected.
Today I look at the Aboriginal Flag that was designed by Mr Harold Thomas who is from the Avanda Nation in Central Australia and how the flag symbolizes all black people's identity in this country. He designed it with three colours. Red the red earth - our relationship to the land. Black represents the black people. Yellow the sun it's the giver of life.
My Torres Strait friends are so proud of their flag too. The star symbolises their islands. The blue is the sea. The black are the people.
I am now looking at another flag created by a non-indigenous gentleman by the name Stephen Berry whom I believe has been touched by the Big Spirit to inspire him to design such a designed flag. I hope when Australians look at this flag both non-indigenous and indigenous people can identify in every which way the Sunburnt Flag is designed. I believe the creation of this flag could break down all negative barriers so we can all live together in unity, harmony and peace.
Maybe this could be an opportunity for this country to be healed in the future. When I look at the Sunburnt Flag I think all Australians should be so proud, thankful and grateful to live in a beautiful land such as this. Because the stars to me on the Sunburnt Flag are the eyes of the Big Spirit looking down on his people watching and protecting us all."