Aunty Bea Ballangarry

Aunty Bea Ballangarry is a Gumbaynggirr Elder from the Mid North Coast of NSW.

In her early eighties, Aunty Bea is a naturally quiet person, who enjoys sitting still and being peaceful. However, she is known to become passionate in the community, giving voice and support for social justice, economic advancement and political change in a variety of ways especially issues affecting human rights, health, women, youth, carers and education.

A born storyteller, she is a prolific published poet and writer of non-fiction, poetry, prose and short stories. Aunty Bea is currently involved with Circle Work, where she uses an ancient, supportive Indigenous model to work with all people to promote well-being, discovery, recovery, gratitude and comfort.  Often, Aunty Bea will use her natural connection with the arts to couple her formal work with ceremony and rituals that bring out the heart of her spiritual essence.

Aunty Bea has a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Double Majoring in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies and Women Studies.  She taught Indigenous Studies at a tertiary level as well as informally, both in the Indigenous and broader communities.  She promotes positive interactive exchanges and is committed to lifelong learning processes.

Aunty Bea transformed her suffering into positive, intelligent strategies for personal and community action that has earned her extensive recognition and awards both locally and nationally.  Some of these include being a Member of the Order of Australia Award (2006), the Grace Roberts Award for Community Development (2007) and Coffs Harbour Citizen of the Year (2008).

Aunty Bea’s philosophy in life – we must listen to our inner wisdom