Beloved local community Elder Aunty Carol Cooper, standing in the foreground of ‘The Gully’, her Gundungurra father’s land where she grew up. “I feel at peace here. I feel he’s saying, ‘I’m still here’.”
Story and photos by Linda Moon
Aunty Carol Cooper is a small, humble woman with a big heart and an important message for humanity.
Key Points:
- Local Katoomba woman Aunty Carol Cooper rose above a childhood of extreme schoolyard racism and violence to become a bridge to reconciliation.
- In 2023 the Darug and Gundungurra Elder was awarded an Order of Australia medal for outstanding services to the local community.
- Be inspired by her journey for peace, from the school playground and beyond, in a time when co-operation and working together is more needed than ever to protect life on our planet.
Seventy three-year-old Carol Cooper was born in Katoomba and continues to call it her home. But she still bears the scars of violent childhood racism in the town. In primary school her nose was broken, her lip split and she nearly lost her chin. Her leg was gashed with broken glass. Boys would follow Carol and her siblings home and throw rocks at the family.
The atrocious racism she experienced wasn’t limited to children. Shockingly, it was also perpetuated by teachers. Aunty Carol said a male teacher, who actively hated ‘blacks’, would make her stand outside the classroom in the rain.
The abuse, which included being told she was dumb, affected her schooling. “I can’t write. I still can’t spell,” Carol tells. She felt that being smart would only make the bullying worse.
Remarkably, the descendent of the Gundungurra and Darug people remains big-hearted and free of bitterness. “That was life back then,” she reflects. “I don’t think I was the only one who got bashed up.”
Childhood in The Gully
That ‘life back then’ included living in The Gully: traditional lands in the heart of Katoomba. These were re-occupied by Aboriginal people in the early twentieth century due to white settlement of the Mountains.
To Carol and her family, The Gully was home. “It was really good there,” she recalls. “We didn’t want to move.”
In 1957 residents were forcibly removed from their homes for the construction of the Catalina Racetrack. Carol can still recall the traumatic sight of her family home being burnt down. In some recognition of the past, in 2002 The Gully was officially declared an Aboriginal Place.
A life of service
Rather than self-pity or retaliation, Carol’s life has been one of power through contribution and caring. She continues to be a long-standing volunteer at Katoomba North and South Public Primary schools and St Canice’s, Katoomba. A former State basketball player, she’s involved in the Katoomba North School Koori Club and coaches a girl’s basketball team.
A member of multiple community groups, Carol won a Zest Award for Community Volunteering in 2012. She was invited as a delegate for the second International Women for Peace Conference in Dili, Timor-Leste in 2009. She also helped found the Blue Mountains Aboriginal Culture and Resource Centre.
Further promoting respect for and knowledge of her culture, Carol co-authored Fun and Games in Gundungurra. The activity book (published in 2007) teaches Gundungurra language to children.
In recognition of her community work, in 2023 she was awarded the Order of Australia medal. It’s a reminder, she says, that someone is always watching what we do. This includes what’s most important in life: how we treat each other.
“This was my story, but there were a lot more people that were worse off than me and deserve this award more,” she says. “And if it wasn’t for the ANTAR (Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation) women, my story would never have been told.”
Promoting peace and reconciliation
Described by Zest as “the backbone of the reconciliation movement in the Blue Mountains for the past 20 years,” Carol’s work has been hands-on at the grass roots level.
In her volunteer work in Katoomba’s primary schools she tries to help bullies build their confidence, see the error of their ways and be more responsible. To the bullies, she would explain: “Everybody’s somebody. And they’ve all got feelings.”
Actively intervening against bullying, she assists by walking vulnerable kids, including those with disabilities, to the bus, and more. “I like to make sure the kids are okay,” she says. It’s a role Carol learned from her beloved older sister Jenny. The oldest girl in the family, Jenny looked after her nine siblings while their parents worked, often shielding them from bullying. “She was the best sister anybody could have and just wanted to fix that,” Carol says.
Sharing her own childhood story and culture has been another way of building a bridge between cultures. “I love kids,” Carol says. This extends beyond the Indigenous, to embrace children of all cultures.
Lessons from her Elders
Carol attributes everything she’s learned and her ability to care to female mentors in community work, and having a close, loving family who taught her all about the land and how to treat others.
Her father (a member of the Gundungurra tribe) served in World War II and a reserve (Digger Cooper Reserve) in Leura is named in his honour. A Blue Mountains bridge (Auntie Joan Cooper Bridge) was named after Carol’s mother. A Darug woman born in Parramatta, Joan also won an Order of Australia.
Carol says, “We had it good. We’ve always been a close family. We’ve been blessed; we’ve been lucky. They [her parents] taught us the right way.”
Her mother constantly taught to look after people and help where needed. Of Carol’s victimisation, her mother said, “I know you’ve got scars Carol, but forget the scars, don’t even think of them. If you’re not looking you can’t see it. Always, always be nice to people. Because sooner or later people are going to be nice back to you.” In a world blighted by war, violence and social division, it’s a vital message.
Aunty Carol Cooper at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre. Carol was unable to have children of her own, but her lessons of peace, love and co-operation will endure in the lives of the many children and adults whose lives she has touched.
“Treat people how you’d like to be treated” – Aunty Carol Cooper.
Take Action:
- Find ways to volunteer and contribute to peace and co-operation within your local community.
- Help stand against racism, bullying and violence. Teach your children to do the same.
- Learn about Indigenous culture and how its’ values of land care, contribution and community, can help save the planet.
Share this article:
This story has been produced as part of a Bioregional Collaboration for Planetary Health and is supported by the Disaster Risk Reduction Fund (DRRF). The DRRF is jointly funded by the Australian and New South Wales governments.
More from around the region
Civil engineer Mark Liebman has worked closely with the Planetary Health Centre to explore ways we can manage water to reduce the impact of severe weather events, from flood to bushfire. At Planetary Health Day on Saturday 1 March he`ll be giving a presentation and tour of the Centre`s Bushfire Sprinkler Demonstration Wall and the prototype of an underground water tank that could be built at the end of flame zone streets around the perimeter of the City to reduce both stormwater and fire damage. Our video of the Bushfire Sprinkler system has already been helping survivors of the Palisades fire in the US prepare for future fire events. In this week`s story for Blackheath Area Local News you can also read about the green roof Mark built on his garden shed to reduce the impact of extreme weather events at his home in Blackheath. You can see all the videos and reserve a place for Mark`s talk at Planetary Health Day here (link in profile):
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/future-proofing-with-community-water-tanks-and-bushfire-sprinkler-systems-tickets-1255928087719
#bushfiresprinklersystem #watertanks #disasterriskreduction #stormwater #bushfire #greenroof #planetaryhealth #katoomba #blackheath #bluemountains #beprepared
Our popular Upcycling Fashion Program has now been running for over a year! Come and check it out at Planetary Health Day on Saturday 1st March. As well, you can build your skills to reduce textile and plastic waste by sewing your own Boomerang Bag with @bbagsbluemtns , joining the Repair Network and learning darning with Elizabeth from @lacebrookstitchery Elizabeth has been studying how people upcycled and mended clothing throughout the centuries. She`ll be demonstrating some basic darning stitches that can be used on woven and knitted garments. She also shares her passion for the timeless crafts of stitchery, crochet, knitting, Victorian lacemaking, and darning skills, through her classes and workshops. You can find out more at www.lacebrookstitchery.com.
NB. There will now be a $10 cost to participate in the Upcycling Fashion Program with pattern maker Sherlie McMillan. Book your place here (link in profile):
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fashion-upcycling-program-on-skillshare-saturdays-tickets-1254329957669
#repair #repairnetwork #upcycledfashion #reducingtextilewaste #reducingplasticwaste #boomerangbags #learntosew #patternmaking #planetaryhealth #planetaryhealthday #katoomba #bluemountains #community
Our homes profoundly influence our lives, our health & the health of the planet. At Planetary Health Day on Saturday 1 March, Kirstie Wulf & Karina Rafailov will share their extensive experience in the session: Building Smarter Using Passive House Design & Natural Building Materials. Kirstie Wulf is the award-winning founder of @shelter.building.design & spoke to a packed room last year about building fire resistant homes with hempcrete. Karina Rafailov is the founder of @earthy_haus & specialises in creating energy-efficient, healthy, & nature-connected spaces.
You can reserve a place for this inspiring presentation here (link in profile):
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/building-smarter-using-passive-house-design-natural-building-materials-tickets-1235896873819
#buildingsmarter #passivhaus #naturalbuildingmaterials #hempcrete #planetaryhealth #planetaryhealthday #katoomba #bluemountains
We are thrilled that the internationally renowned physicist, Professor Emeritus Hans Coster will be joining us for Planetary Health Day to address the question of Life and Energy with his presentation: Evolution and the High Life, but Where to Now?
The options that are there for individuals and communities and society as a whole will be examined. An example of a viable energy system constructed with nickel iron batteries at Middle Earth in the Kanimbla Valley will be briefly presented. But is that approach viable for the larger community?
There is no simple way to address all of the issues. How can individuals operate in this energy environment? How do we maintain a healthy industrial sector? What are the Planetary implications of all this?
Whilst not attempting to provide answers, some food for thought will be presented. If you’d like to attend this presentation, reserve your place here (link in profile): https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/prof-hans-coster-on-life-energy-middle-earth-nickel-iron-batteries-tickets-1235955960549
#energy #life #nickelironbatteries #evolution #science #physics #planetaryhealth #middleearth #planetaryhealthday #katoomba #bluemountains #kanimblavalley #inspiration
Celebrating local innovation we`ll be kicking off Planetary Health Day at 9am on Saturday 1st March with a talk by Lithgow inventor Frank Inzitari. He and his cousin Frank Capomollo were featured on Shark Tank Australia with their invention Fire Halo: a fire-prevention system that cleans your gutters and can keep them flooded with water during bushfires. The product is designed to make it easier to prevent homes catching fire from ember attacks, which are the cause of around 75-80 per cent of bushfire damage to properties. It can also provide redirection of chemicals away from your tank when cleaning your roof or solar panels. If you`d like to find out more reserve your spot here (link in profile): https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/reducing-the-risk-of-ember-attack-with-a-fire-halo-tickets-1250666470079
@firehalo.au @sharktankau #firehalo #bushfire #disasterriskreduction #emberattack #planetaryhealth #planetaryhealthday #bluemountains #lithgow #katoomba
We had a fabulous day at the launch of the Birds of Australia STORYBOX in Springwood yesterday, giving everyone a preview of our Frogs of the Blue Mountains exhibition that will be on display at Planetary Health Day on 1 March. Our exhibition of Birds by Warren Hinder, Merryl Watkins and Holly Kent is now on display at Springwood. Worth checking out! If you`d like to find out more about all the frogs of the Blue Mountains, and come to Planetary Health Day you can register at the link in our profile. #birdsofthebluemountains #frogsofthebluemountains #frogs #birds #bluemountains #springwood #katoomba #planetaryhealth #planetaryhealthday
If you weren`t able to catch our fabulous exhibition of Bird Photography by Warren Hinder, Holly Kent and Merryl Watkins you can now pop down to the Blue Mountains Theatre and Community Hub where they`re on display to complement The Birds of Australia STORYBOX. We`ll be there sharing information about the Planetary Health Centre for the launch today from 10am to 12 noon. Lots happening for the whole family: presentations with the Australian Museum and STUDIO ESEM, WIRES, Wagana Dancers, a replica of Gould`s book in the library, Craft activities, environmental information stalls and more! Come along and say hello.
#planetaryhealth #birdsofaustralia #springwood #bluemountains #birdsofbluemountains
Research is indicating that increasing the number of plant-based meals we eat is better for our health and the health of our planet! A highlight of Planetary Health Day on Saturday 1st March will be the Plant Based Cheese Making Demo & Tasting by Teya from @plantinspired99 For anyone who loves food and cooking, learning new techniques is always exciting! Teya will demonstrate how to make basic artisan cheese, blue vein cheese and a melting mozzarella-type of cheese for your pizzas and warm sandwiches. Reserve your place here for this popular event (link in profile): https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/plant-based-cheese-making-demo-tasting-tickets-1235848188199
#plantinspired #plantbased #plantbasedcheese #planetaryhealth #planetaryhealthdiet #planetaryhealthday #katoomba #bluemountains #planetaryhealthcentre #newcookingtechniques
Timber is one of our most valuable resources but too often, when a tree comes down, people only think of turning it into wood chip or firewood instead of much higher value timber products that can last as long as the tree took to grow! Come along to Planetary Health Day on Saturday 1st March and be inspired by how Michael Trickett can bring his mobile sawmill to you and produce high value timber for building or furniture making. Reserve your spot for Planetary Health Day here (link in profile):
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/planetary-health-day-tickets-1235611640679
#timber #mobilesawmill #planetaryhealth #trees #morethanwoodchip #morethanfirewood #planetaryhealthday #katoomba #bluemountains
Have you been hearing frogs in your yard or neighbourhood? One of the highlights of our upcoming Planetary Health Day on Saturday 1 March is our exhibition of Frogs of the Blue Mountains. We`ll have photos of all the known frogs of the Blue Mountains with links to their calls and we`re thrilled that Britt Mitchell from the @australianmuseum will share her experience as a frog call validator for the Museum`s FrogID project. She will discuss how FrogID has assisted her PhD research: “Australia’s frog species in the Anthropocene – habitat loss, climate change, behaviour, and disease”, the positive impact FrogID is making and how to get involved with this Citizen Science project. If you`d like to hear Britt speak you can reserve a place here (link in profile): https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/frogid-people-powered-frog-conservation-tickets-1235831287649
The photo of the frog below is by Holly Kent and features in the exhibition.
@frogidaus #frogs #treefrogs #frogsofthebluemountains #planetaryhealth #planetaryhealthday #citizenscience #katoomba #bluemountains #familyday
Planetary Health Day is coming up on 1 March. SAVE THE DATE! We all need a Planetary Health Day where we can connect with community, have fun, get inspired, buy fresh local produce and learn ways to work together to restore the health of our planet and prepare for a more challenging future.
Check out our program and book to come along here (link in profile):
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/planetary-health-day-tickets-1235611640679
#planetaryhealth #planetaryhealthday #community #beprepared #conservation #restoration #repair #localproduce #mobilesawmill #frogID #plantbased #bushfire #disasterriskreduction #firehalo
