Elder our local legend

ABOUT 30 family and friends attended a surprise party at the Laidley Community Centre on Monday to congratulate the Lockyer Valley's Aboriginal Elder Aunty Therese Webster on being named a ‘legend' in the 25th Premier's Awards for Queensland seniors.

Mrs Webster, a volunteer with the Queensland Cancer Council, runs the local Relay for Life fund-raising event, as well as remaining heavily involved in work with local Indigenous girls and women.

Community Centre manager Neil Williamson said in the past two years she had inaugurated the Lockyer Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women's and Girls' Gatherings, Yarning Circle and community NAIDOC events.

“Aunty recently represented Queensland at the National ATSI Women's Gathering in Canberra,” he said.

“She has just attended, as a selected representative, the six-day International Indigenous Women's conference in Darwin, and recently completed training for Indigenous Governance – Women on Boards conducted by the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

“Over the past 21 years she has raised approximately $300,000 for the Cancer Council through a range of fund-raising events.”

A humble Mrs Webster said, although it was an honour to be recognised in the Premier's Awards, she would not have been able to achieve anything without the backing of family and friends.

For support on Indigenous issues, she can be contacted at the Laidley Community Centre in Mary Street or on 5465 1889.