By any measure, Uncle Ivan Wellington was a great man, and Campbelltown was lucky to call him one of its own.
He was bestowed a large number of honours – all fully deserved – including being named Campbelltown citizen of the year in 2021.
Ironically, he first came to Campbelltown for a few days to help out a member of his family who lived at Minto.
He ended up staying, calling Campbelltown home for almost 40 years.
Uncle Ivan Wellington passed away at the age of 80 last week in the intensive care unit of Campbelltown Hospital surrounded by loved ones.
He had been unwell in the past few years and was forced to reduce his workload.
Once word got out that Uncle Ivan had passed away, a torrent of tributes followed. There are too many to publish here, so we have selected just a few as examples of the respect for Uncle Ivan Wellington.
Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation at Airds posted: “Firstly, our heartfelt condolences to Leonie, Uncle’s family and everyone that has been impacted by his passing. We have struggled to find the words to express how we feel about losing you, but your voice was heard loud and clear, “C’mon you fullas, don’t muck around just keep it simple”. Thank you once again for guiding us. Your impact on this community was profound. We are blessed that our paths crossed, and our journeys were shared. You mean so much to so many.’’
Mayor Darcy Lound on behalf of Campbelltown City Council: “Through a lifetime of service, Uncle Ivan enriched our community with his wisdom, generosity and unwavering commitment to bringing people together. His legacy is one of cultural pride, understanding and unity, and his impact will endure for generations. Uncle Ivan was a highly respected Elder, cultural leader and proud advocate for Aboriginal culture and heritage. Throughout his life, he devoted himself to sharing knowledge, fostering understanding and building connections between people. His contribution to our community was profound, and his influence will continue to be felt for generations to come.’’
St Patrick’s College Campbelltown: “We are grateful for the incredible contribution Uncle Ivan made to our college community. His guidance, kindness, knowledge and commitment to sharing and celebrating Aboriginal culture will always be remembered and deeply valued.’’
Campbelltown Hospital: “Uncle Ivan was a much-loved member of our hospital community, who contributed to many aspects of our care, ranging from our redevelopment through to supporting Aboriginal community members. We are richer for his knowledge, wisdom and kindness. The new building has a lounge for Aboriginal families to use when they or a loved one is in hospital. It’s called the Uncle Ivan Wellington Lounge in recognition of his incredible contributions to the hospital itself and to the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people in the region.’’
Nepalese community leader Binod Paudel: “A deeply respected Elder and leader in Macarthur, Uncle Ivan possessed a heart of gold that touched countless lives. His life serves as a powerful reminder of the impact one person can have, as he was devoted to making everyone feel valued, especially our youth, always offering wisdom, a listening ear, and unwavering support.’’
“I’m a saltwater man from Kiama,’’ Uncle Ivan said to me when I interviewed him for a profile in the South West Voice back in 2018.
He told me he was descended from the Wandi Wandian people down on the south coast where he was born in 1946.
He said he loved growing up near the ocean, but admitted he ended up loving Campbelltown just as much.
“I love Campbelltown because there are so many cultures here,’’ he said.
A memorial service will be held to honour and celebrate Uncle Ivan’s life in the Billabong Parklands on Thursday, September 17 from 9.30am to 12 noon.
