Nolear Ramsamy: Community mourns death of Nanna, a matriarch of Mackay indigenous family
Nolear Ramsamy is remembered as the matriarch of a leading Indigenous family who the community would grieve and miss
Mackay
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Mackay councillors have remembered Nolear Ramsamy as the matriarch of a leading Indigenous family in the community.
Affectionately known as Nan or Nanna, Mrs Ramsamy, who was born on October 16, 1918, passed away this week at 103 years old.
Cr Alison Jones said Nan was now resting alongside her late husband Edward Ramsamy, better known as Ram Chandra or simply Pop.
“The biggest compliment or fondest memories anyone could give or share about Nanna was that family meant everything,” Cr Jones said during the council meeting on Wednesday.
“Nanna was not a selfish woman and family meant so much more than just her immediate family.
“It meant the community that she lived in.
“There was never a distinguish between cultures as she believed we were all human beings and that no matter what culture you came from — Aboriginal, Torres Strait or South Sea islander, or the greater wider community — her death has affected everyone as well as those who knew her in the Slade Point community.”
Cr Jones said Nan kept a strong connection to her Torres Strait culture and was involved in celebrations such as NAIDOC, flag-raising ceremonies and teaching others through storytelling and education projects.
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She said her own grandchildren were proud to call her Nan and she enjoyed being taken on holidays back home to the Torres Strait.
“If you asked her what was the secret to a long life she would say eating fish, rice and mangoes. They were some of her favourite foods,” Cr Jones said.
“Only on the Sunday before she passed, she was still requesting to go out and about just to get out of the house, heading out on those little road trips, you just couldn't keep her home.
“Nanna’s passing is a great loss to the community to which they will grieve and miss her for many years to come,” Cr Jones said while holding back tears.
Mayor Greg Williamson said councillors’ thoughts were with the family as they passed a condolence motion in Mrs Ramsamy’s honour.
“I can certainly remember being at Nanna Ramsamy’s 100th birthday celebration,” Cr Williamson said.
“It was really very, very nice but she’d rather be fishing.”
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Originally published as Nolear Ramsamy: Community mourns death of Nanna, a matriarch of Mackay indigenous family
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