John Anthony Gorrie PSM (born 10 March 1950) is the first Aboriginal Australian person awarded the Public Service Medal, in 2005.
John Gorrie | |
|---|---|
| Born | John Anthony Gorrie 10 March 1950 Victoria, Australia |
| Occupation(s) | Public servant, Indigenous advocate |
| Children | Veronica Gorrie |
Early life and education
editJohn Anthony Gorrie[1] was born on 10 March 1950 to single mother and Gunaikurnai woman Linda,[2] and was placed in the Royal Park children's home[3] in Melbourne.[2] The authorities returned him to her after she married Carl Turner and applied for custody, and he grew up with her at Lake Tyers Mission, an Aboriginal reserve.[2]
He is a Kurnai elder of the Krauatungalung clan, whose traditional lands are located in East Gippsland in Victoria.[3][2]
He has positive memories of his childhood there, including movie nights, his friends, and swimming in the lake.[2] However, his mother remained fearful of the authorities, and would hide him whenever inspectors visited Lake Tyers.[3]
Career
editGorrie started work as an Aboriginal liaison and advocacy officer and in the Victorian Department of Human Services[2] in 1991, and was the only Indigenous worker there when he began.[3] He continued to work at the department, completing 21 years at the end of 2011.[2]
Recognition
editAfter working for 14 years in the field of child protection, he was given the Public Service Medal "for outstanding public service in improving the relationship between the Department of Human Services and the Aboriginal community".[1] As a result of his work, new programs were created by the department, and Aboriginal people's interactions with the department improved.[4] The number of Indigenous employees had increased to 20 by 2011.[3]
Personal life
editAs of 2023[update] Gorrie was living in Sale, and continues to visit Lake Tyers, which he still considers as "home". His mother and father are buried in the New Cemetery there.[2]
His daughter is writer Veronica Gorrie, and his grandchild is writer, actor and activist Nayuka Gorrie.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b "Mr John Anthony GORRIE: Public Service Medal, 26th of January, 2005". Australian Honours Search Facility. Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (Australia). Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Parry, Tom (4 July 2023). "Lake Tyers a survivor, always will be an Indigenous home". Gippsland Times. Retrieved 19 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Griffin, Michelle (4 July 2011). "Damper, jam and a walk in his shoes". The Age. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
- ^ "Australia Day honour for Aboriginal liaison officer". Department of Human Services (Victoria). 3 January 2007. Retrieved 19 September 2021. [dead link]
- ^ Gorrie, Veronica (30 March 2021). Black and Blue: a memoir of racism and resilience. Scribe. pp. 164, 230. ISBN 9781925938814.