By Luke Voogt
Three generations of women from the same family earned recognition at the 2021 Wathaurong Community NAIDOC Awards on Monday.
The youngest, Stephi Murphy, shared the Moordeemoondeek Goopma (Young Female Achiever) Award with Bri Apma-Hayes.
“I was really excited and proud,” the 17-year-old said.
Stephi stepped up as a mentor over the past 12 months helping to run a camp for Indigenous children and teaching traditional dance, according to Wathaurong Aboriginal Co-operative.
“It’s a really good way to connect with community and make friends that also have Aboriginal heritage,” she said.
Her mother Kristi Watts, who runs the co-op’s Milla Milla playgroup, shared the Ngarrwa Ngitj (Community Person) Award with Wendy Brabham.
“I’m super proud watching her grow,” she said of her daughter.
Ms Watts won her award for “bringing up our elders of tomorrow” in 11 years at the co-op, especially during COVID-19.
“It comes down to other people acknowledging you and your work in the community,” she said.
She helped bring Dreamtime stories, songs and cultural activities into the homes of families via livestream during COVID-19 lockdowns.
The group’s online following started with 56 families, which later grew to 110, and Ms Watts and her colleagues delivered resource packs to their homes.
Ms Watts’ aunt Judy Dalton-Walsh won the Nedok Yoongga (Elder) Award for her 41 years with the co-op since its inception and her work teaching Indigenous language.
“They’re always out in front leading in culture and community,” the co-op’s Beth Davis said of the family.
“Anything we need help with, we know we can always count on them.”
