Sylvia Scott grew up on the Erambie Mission in Cowra, where the Aboriginal people had a reputation for standing up for their rights as far back as the 1940s. She remembers fondly a childhood with not much money and many mission rules and regulations but one that was full of music and fun. Her father Lochie Ingram was a shearer and good provider for their large family and her mother Louisa Ingram led protests against the mission managers, who at times denied the whole mission population their rations.
Louisa and some of her children are in the iconic photo of the 1938 Aboriginal protest that was held in Sydney while white Australia celebrated its sesquicentenary. Sylvia discusses the fact that they have never been properly identified in the various published versions of this photo. She also talks about the circumstances of her sister Janet going into the Bomaderry Children's home, not being allowed to return for many years. Sylvia tells her colourful life story to her niece Suzy Ingram, who also talks about her own memories of Erambi Mission and the Ingram family.
We also catch up with Development Officer for Indigenous Music in the Northern Territory, Heath Baxter who talks about some exciting new bands and a mentoring system betwen older and younger musicians.
View The Day of Mourning photograph and see information about the people in it. You'll also see photographs of Sylvia Scott and the Erambie Mission in the late 1930s.