Tasmanian Aboriginal elder Aunty Patsy Cameron dies aged 79

Tasmanian Aboriginal elder Aunty Patsy Cameron dies aged 79 In short: A Tasmanian Aboriginal elder who spent decades advocating for better educational outcomes for Aboriginal Tasmanians has died. Aunty Patsy Cameron helped create the Aboriginal Studies course at the University of Tasmania and is remembered by friends and family as a dedicated historian and advocate. What's next? Her son, Nick Cameron, said he and others Aunty Patsy was close with would continue her legacy. WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains the name and image of an Indigenous person who has died, used with the permission of their family. Tributes have flowed for Tasmanian elder Aunty Patsy Cameron AO, who has died aged 79. Ms Cameron was renowned for her decades of work improving educational outcomes for Aboriginal Tasmanians and preserving Indigenous culture. Born in Launceston, Ms Cameron grew up on Flinders Island and would go on to become the first Tasmanian to be appointed to the landmark National Aboriginal Education Committee. She also helped create the Aboriginal Studies course at the University of Tasmania, and the Riawunna Centre for Aboriginal Education. Her son, Nick Cameron, said she created a legacy that spanned the majority of her life. "We've learnt a lot from her over the years, especially the way she went about researching information. She was very passionate about making sure what was written or what was said was accurate," Mr Cameron said. "She was very much about trying to tell the truth and instilled that in all of us who listened to her and grew up with her. "It's a big loss and people need to remember who she was and what she represented. She had a real hope of our history being recognised ... of a breakdown of racism." With a strong connection to Flinders Island, Ms Cameron also wrote numerous children's books inspired by her island upbringing and detailing Tasmania's ancestral history. In 2017, she was awarded the Order of Australia (AO) in 2017 for her decades of service to improving educational outcomes for Tasmanian Aboriginal people and as a custodian of cultural knowledge. Mr Cameron said he would work to continue his mother's legacy. "There will be many other people who will do the same thing; and that's all about who she was as a person," he said. "It's a credit to her and to my father as well." Co-chair of the Melaythenner Teeackana Warrana Aboriginal Corporation, Emma Lee OAM, said she was proud that Ms Cameron touched so many lives. "Hearts are breaking, and country is crying today," Dr Lee said. "She believed in healthy relationships with everything and shared our precious culture with guests, local to international." "Aunty Patsy retrieved our history for us and allowed us to tell new narratives of cultural strength, pride and tradition." Premier Jeremy Rockliff also paid tribute and said Ms Cameron's lifelong commitment to education, culture and community leaves an "enduring legacy". "Her dedication to improving educational opportunities for Tasmanian Aboriginal people, preserving culture and sharing her knowledge has touched countless lives," Mr Rockliff said. "We extend our heartfelt condolences to Aunty Patsy's family, friends and everyone who had the privilege of knowing her."