Bardi elder irene davey named wa senior of the year

Bardi Elder Irene Davey

The Kimberley Land Council (KLC) extends a heartfelt congratulations to Bardi Elder Irene Davey, who was named WA Senior of the Year in the regional category.

Irene has dedicated her life to preserving her culture and language. She has championed cultural education, teaching Bardi Jawi language at One Arm Point Community School and advising on cultural protocols. Her biography, A Lifetime of Truth-telling, will be released in 2025.

She has been an invaluable Cultural Advisor and long-term board member with the KLC, offering her wisdom and guidance to our Kimberley community. KLC Deputy CEO Sarah Parriman said the award was well deserved:

“This achievement is a true reflection of Irene’s lifelong dedication to creating a better future for Kimberley Aboriginal people. We thank her for her years of tireless service, leadership and guidance.

It’s so important that we continue to recognise and honour the contributions of our Elders. They are the giants on whose shoulders we stand.”

Here’s a quote from Irene on the importance of keeping Culure strong, featured in the KLC’s 40th anniversary book, The Shield and The Spear.

“Our Culture hasn’t changed, it hasn’t weakened,

and we need to keep it strong. We get challenged a

lot by some things.

We need to bring the language back to make it

strong, as part of us, as Aboriginal people. What

Culture means – with our language, our law and

Culture, our land – we need to be practising and

just keeping it strong, otherwise you’ll be letting

yourself down.”