2024 SW NAIDOC Female Elder of the Year
Melba Wallam
We celebrate an exceptional female Elder whose dedication has profoundly impacted our community. It is with immense pride and admiration that we honor Mrs. Melba Wallan, the distinguished recipient of the 2024 SW NAIDOC Female Elder of the Year award.
A Life of Resilience, Wisdom, and Cultural Richness
Melba Wallam, a Ballardong Noongar Woman born in Pingelly and hailing from the Bardiamia Nation, embodies the essence of resilience, wisdom, and cultural richness. Her life’s journey has been one of profound impact, touching countless lives across generations.
Family and Community: A Lifelong Commitment
Melba’s family tree branches wide and deep, spanning nine children, forty-eight grandchildren, ninety-eight great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren. Her nurturing spirit extends beyond blood ties, embracing the entire community. As a member of the Bunbury Aboriginal Christian Fellowship, Melba has dedicated over 36 years to ministry, fostering spiritual growth and compassion.
Cultural Bridge Builder
Melba’s passport bears stamps from far-flung corners of the globe—Amsterdam, London, Vanuatu—each destination a window into diverse cultures. As the Living Link for Churches of Christ Ministry across Australia, she has woven threads of understanding and unity. Her travels have enriched her perspective, allowing her to infuse our local community with global wisdom.
Education and Advocacy
Melba’s passion for education burns brightly. She sits on the Local Council, advising the City of Bunbury, agencies, organizations, and businesses. Through Connecting Kids Culturally programs in schools, she nurtures the next generation, ensuring they walk confidently in their cultural heritage. Her Welcome to Country ceremonies resonate across the South West, bridging past and present.
Benevolence and Innovation
Melba’s heart beats for community well-being. The Fish Foundation’s Kalara Waangkiny Project finds a steadfast supporter in her. She champions Aquwest’s Innovative RAP, guiding sustainable practices. Telethon Research benefits from her cultural insights, fostering young minds. Even land surveying becomes a cultural endeavor under her watchful eye.
Artistry and Expression
Melba’s creativity knows no bounds. Winner of the Noongar Country Exhibition, her art speaks of connection—to land, to stories, to identity. She paints with the hues of tradition, breathing life into canvas. Her Cultural Mapping and Storytelling illuminate pathways for others, preserving our heritage.
Leadership and Legacy
Melba’s leadership transcends titles. As Elder-in-Residence for BILYA MOORDITJABINY training services, she weaves community threads into a vibrant tapestry. Her advocacy for Indigenous education, language, and arts echoes through our hearts. She stands as a beacon of justice, a keeper of Noongar wisdom.
Deep Listening on Boodja
Within the Harvey Aboriginal Corporation, Melba’s presence resonates. She honors family kinships, connecting regions and generations. Her knowledge of kinship systems is a testament to her reverence for Boodja—the land that cradles our stories.
A Matriarch, Artist, and Custodian of Culture
Melba Wallam’s legacy will ripple through time, inspiring us all to walk with purpose, guided by the wisdom of our Elders. Her life is a testament to the power of resilience, wisdom, and cultural richness.
Congratulations, Melba Wallan, on this well-deserved honor. May your fire continue to light our path, and may your legacy echo across the ages.