John Flint

I arrived at Chatswood in 1972 to begin establishing a public library. Willoughby was the second last Sydney Council to operate one, though they had resolved to do so in 1876! The Library at Chatswood opened in 1977.

In 1974 Gore Hill Cemetery was closed to burials and the NSW Government appointed an unwilling Willoughby Council as Trustee. I was consigned to pick up the burial records from the Sexton’s Cottage.

After I retired from Council in 1995, I was invited to become a member of the Cemetery Trust, which managed the site from 1986 and reported to the Lands Department. Until the Trust was amalgamated in 2012, I was its Secretary-Treasurer.

Since then, I have been the Archivist of the Friends of the Cemetery.

NAIDOC is an annual celebration of the history, culture, and achievements of indigenous Australians

LEGACY: The 2023 Constitutional amendment debate and referendum largely overlooked why we need a greater Voice in Australian politics. It is the need to ‘Close the Gap’ – the stark disparities between First Nation and non-Indigenous Australians across key areas like health, education, employment, and life expectancy. These inequalities are deeply rooted in historical injustices, systemic disadvantage, and ongoing social and economic exclusion.

The urgency of the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart centered on achieving a Constitutional Voice, TruthTelling and Treaty (Makarrata).

Infant & Child Deaths

The legacy take-out of the referendum is that it raised awareness in the Australin communities of the depth of intent of First Nations people to continue to activate “Closing the Gap”. This is evidenced within State jurisdictions across Australia working collaboratively with First Nations people promoting TruthTelling as a fundamental tenet for any long-term solution. Similarly, Treaty development has been initiated.

RESILIENCE Powering through the disappointment of the outcome of THE VOICE, First Nations communities across the nation have once again picked up the cudgel and continue to advocate vigorously for change.

VISION: The vision for Indigenous and non-Indigenous cooperation of Closing the Gap is rooted in genuine partnership, shared decision-making, and structural reform. It’s about moving away from top-down government approaches and toward empowering First Nations communities to lead the change.

Core Principles of the Vision include Self-determination; Shared accountability; Cultural respect; and, Community-led solutions:

Challenges to Realising the Vision are Bureaucratic; Lack of independent accountability mechanisms and inconsistent government engagement

What’s Needed Going Forward is embedding Closing the Gap commitments into performance indicators for government leaders. Better communication and listening between peak bodies and communities. A fundamental rethink of how institutions engage with Indigenous peoples

It’s a bold vision—but one that demands sustained effort, trust, and a willingness to shift power.

Terry Fogarty (Proud Wiradjuri (Galari) man) on Wallumedegal Country

I acknowledge the Gamaragal and Wallumedegal as the Custodians of Country and Ancestors past, present and emerging.