Mackay Australian South Sea Islanders recognised at Mackay Hospital flag raising

An Australian South Sea Islander woman who remembers her grandmother only allowed to be treated on a verandah had tears in her eyes when the flag was raised, but warned there is still a long way to go.

Eunice and Carmel Armstrong raised the South Sea Islander Flag at Mackay Hospital in a ceremony to recognise the valuable contribution of the Australian South Sea Islander community. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Emotions were high at the Mackay Base Hospital as the Australian South Sea Islander flag was raised at the buildings entrance to celebrate the community’s deep roots in Mackay.

For Australian South Sea Islanders Eunice and Carmel Armstrong however, the raising had a deeper meaning as she recalled visiting her grandmother in hospital in the 1930s.

“All the South Sea Islander People, the kanakas were put on the veranda,” Eunice said.

“I can always remember our mother’s mother we went there and we were told we weren’t allowed up on the veranda, they removed us.”

Eunice and Carmel Armstrong raised the Australian South Sea Islander Flag at Mackay Hospital in a ceremony to recognise the valuable contribution of the Australian South Sea Islander community. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Eunice and Carmel raised the flag, which flew beside the Torres Strait Islander, Aboriginal, Queensland and Australian flags.

She had tears in her eyes as she said how much the act of raising the flag would have meant for to her mother and how much it meant for her.

“It was exhilarating because for the amount of stuff these people had to put up with,” Eunice said.

“We’ve still got a long way to go as yet.”

Eunice was six and her sister Carmel three when they were forced back downstairs and had to speak to their infirm grandmother through the veranda railing.

“She couldn’t get out of bed because she was bedridden,” Eunice said.

“We had to stay downstairs because we weren’t allowed … but the thing was we were more hurt because we were told to leave.” 

Carmel said now things were moving forward in relation to recognition for Australian South Sea Islanders “you can never forget the past”.

Former Mirani MP and the first Australian South Sea Islander elected to state parliament Stephen Andrew spoke on the history of "kanakas" in Mackay. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Former Mirani MP and the first elected Australian South Sea Islander to state parliament Stephen Andrew said the flag raising marked a very good milestone for the Australian South Sea Islander people.

“The place behind us is a new building now but the place that was there formerly was a very frightening event for any South Sea Islander,” Mr Andrew said.

“As Granddad said to me they’d rather get the lash, at least they knew they’d survive being whipped than come to hospital.”

Eunice and Carmel Armstrong joined Mr Andrew at the reception. Photo: Fergus Gregg

Mr Andrew recalled the Australian government’s decision to recognise the Australian South Sea Islanders in 2000 and added the Mackay regional council have also now raised the flag of the Australian South Sea Islanders.

“It’s been a long journey,” he said.

He added that today marked a year since his father broke his leg and spent time in the Mackay Base Hospital and said he had received every care.

Mackay Hospital and Health Board Chair Helen Darch said the raising of the flag was further acknowledgment of the “sad historic treatment and care” provided at the old Pacific Islander Hospital 130 years ago.

“Today is about the future and our continued commitment to developing further understanding so that we can provide the services and care that members of our Australian South Sea Islander community need,” Ms Darch said.

Originally published as Mackay Australian South Sea Islanders recognised at Mackay Hospital flag raising