Whadjuk Ballardong Elder Uncle Patrick Egan
National NAIDOC Caring for Country and Culture Award Category
Whadjuk Ballardong Elder Patrick Egan was born on the verandah of Northam’s public hospital and raised with 9 siblings on Northam Aboriginal Reserve - eight years before the 1967 vote to recognise our First Peoples as Australian citizens.
Today, he’s a cultural awareness powerhouse – determined to help revive Noongar language and culture through his work as Wungening’s Cultural Awareness Lead, on various Elders’ committees and as a family patriarch.
Uncle Patrick always goes the extra mile to ensure everyone can learn history’s truths in a safe, healing environment. His humour, gentle charm and love of a yarn are an invitation to all, no matter their race, for some powerful learning.