In one of the biggest funerals ever held in Campbelltown, Aboriginal elder Uncle Ivan Wellington was farewelled today at an emotional memorial service.
The service was held inside the Billabong Parklands, which was apt, because Uncle Ivan played a key advisory role in its inclusion of Indigenous themes in the overall design.
As some speakers pointed out, the most influential Aboriginal elder of all time in Campbelltown fell ill and was unable to visit the Billabong either at its official opening or afterwards.
There were close to around 1000 people there today to farewell the great man, who passed away at the age of 80.
From his home in Airds and all the way to the Billabong, Uncle Ivan’s cortege was given an honour few receive: a police escort.
There were many tributes of the contribution Uncle Ivan made in the close to 40 years he called Campbelltown home.
Uncle Phil Dotti, one of two MCs at the memorial along with Brendan Broadbent, put it best when he said: “Uncle Ivan built bridges, not walls.’’
Uncle Ivan’s son, Ronnie, gave a powerful speech about his father, describing him as someone who always saw “the bright side of life’’.
“He could turn a cloudy day into one full of sunshine and promise,’’ Ronnie Wellington said.
The mob came from all over to pay their respects – from the North Coast and the South Coast, and inland country towns across NSW.
They heard how Aboriginal people who call Campbelltown home saw Uncle Ivan as their mayor as much as a traditional elder.
His legacy will live on despite his absence, as other speakers pointed out.
It will live on in the young people he helped to make sure they stayed in the straight and narrow road.
In the meantime, Uncle Ivan’s final journey did not end with his memorial at the Billabong today.
Tomorrow, his family and close friends and others will head down south to Jervis Bay, where Uncle Ivan’s mortal remains will be buried.
That’s because Jervis Bay is where life started for this “saltwater man’’ 80 years ago in 1946.
It’s true he spent half of those years up here in beautiful Campbelltown, but now that his work here is done, he will return to where he was born.
Safe trip, Uncle Ivan, and Rest in Peace.
