“AUNTY Penny has demonstrated to many Aboriginal people, and most importantly to young women, to be proud of your cultural heritage, to encourage learning and participation in culture and to gain knowledge to share with those uneducated about Australia’s history,” Mount Gambier woman Tracey Wanganeen said on her nomination of the South East respected elder for the South Australian Women’s Honour Roll.
“Her roles with local Aboriginal organisations such as Burrandies Aboriginal Corporation, Pangula Mannamurna and more recently as an outreach worker with Aboriginal Community Connect were and are not just jobs for Aunty Penny, but opportunities to support and uplift members of her community.”
A proud Moandik/Narrangga woman, Penny Bonney has had an ongoing influence on the lives of many throughout the region, both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal.
Sharing her traditional values and cultural practices, she has in turn educated those who have previously had no engagement with Aboriginal culture.
“Aunty Penny is often requested to deliver a ‘welcome to country’ at various events and attended and contributed to the revival of the Boandik language classes culminating in the recent launch of the Boandik dictionary,” Ms Wanganeen said.
“She is also very musically talented and as well as singing and playing guitar has composed her own lyrics and music.
“Recently, she performed impromptu at one of the regular peace dinners – this one in particular held in her honour of moving from Mount Gambier to Kingston and recognising the work she has carried out within Mount Gambier and surrounding communities.”
Recently inducted onto the South Australian Women’s Honour Roll during a ceremony in Adelaide, Aunty Penny said she was “blown away” to be selected as one of 20 inspiring women.
“It is beautiful that Tracey even thought of me, I would have never expected that in a million years,” she said.
“Being there in Adelaide among all of the other lovely women that were nominated for the great works they had done was such a great experience.
“My family were over the moon when they heard the news.”
Living in Mount Gambier for many years, Aunty Penny only recently made the move back to her home town of Kingston, where she currently works as an Aboriginal education community officer.
“The main reason for the move was to do some self healing, if I am healed I can be of service and be there for my community,” she said.
Known around the region for her extensive community involvement, Aunty Penny said she was not planning on slowing down any time soon.
“I really enjoy being part of the community and seeing all the positive changes that have been made over the past 20 years, especially with Pangula,” she said.
“I thought I would be retiring by now and taking things easy, but while there is a need, which I believe there is, I have to continue.
“Who knows what is in store for me in 2018, I have a feeling this is just the beginning.”
