Aunty Dot awarded Queen’s Birthday Honour

Healesville Aboriginal elder Aunty Dot Peters was surprised to be recognised on the Queen’s Birthday. Proud of her family and country, she does everything she can to keep it that way.

Aunty Dot Peters made a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia.

A champion for reconciliation and recognition, Healesville Aboriginal elder Aunty Dot Peters has always been proud of her background.

It is something which has made it easier for her to continue her work through the decades, helping to progress reconciliation in Victoria, as much reconnecting with her own ancestry as promoting cultural awareness to the wider community.

Aunty Dot was recognised for her work on the Queen’s Birthday Honour List when she was made a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia for significant service to the indigenous community of Victoria.

“I’ve been proud of my family,” she said.

“I think we live in a great country and I want to make sure it stays that way.”

Her phone has been ringing off the hook with congratulations and wellwishers.

“I don’t do anything for the sake of being good at it,” Aunty Dot said.

“I see something that needs to be done and I do it.”

Born in 1930 and growing up in Healesville, Aunty Dot returned to the town in 1969 and has lived there ever since.

She taught Aboriginal studies at Healesville Primary School for a decade, has held countless workshops teaching the weaving and basket coiling skills her grandmother passed to her, was a Healesville RSL sub-branch Ladies Auxiliary president and is a life member of Healesville Tennis Club.

But it is bringing recognition to Aboriginal servicemen and women for which she is most proud.

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Her father fought in World War II, but was captured and died a prisoner of war on the Thai Burma railway.

His sacrifice went unacknowledged and his family not offered the support others received.

She persuaded the Healesville RSL sub-branch to take part in Reconciliation Week in 2006 and, soon after talking with the State Government, held the first indigenous remembrance service at the Shrine of Remembrance.

The service is now held annually nationwide.

Aunty Dot’s work has previously been recognised, including when inducted onto the Victorian Honour Roll of Women and Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll, a NAIDOC Elders Award and a Yarra Ranges Shire lifetime achievement award.