Aunty Wilma Xiberras

Aunty Wilma's mother coming off Corranderk, a Aboriginal station located at Healesville, was taken around as a child assisting Aboriginal women and their children. Her early childhood was on the streets of North Melbourne, based around what is now known as the starting point for Aboriginal politics within Victoria, her mother being instrumental in this movement.

Wilma then married and had two children, her daughter following in her political footsteps. She got a job as a process factory worker in a Coffin factory - making coffin handles. She was one of the first Aboriginal women to be heavily involved in the unions, in particular the Metal Workers Union.

She was a leader in the development of cultural heritage within Melbourne, being one of the instigators of the Kulin Nation Cultural Heritage Organisation, now incorporated, thanks to Wilma. Wilma was instrumental in working towards selfdetermination for Aboriginal people, particularly her people, the Wurundjeri, who are the traditional owners of the Melbourne region.

She was the Chairperson for the Kulin Nation Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, a board member for the Wathurong Co-op in Geelong and a member of the Museum of Victoria Indigenous Advisory Committee and was recognised for her work in these areas.

Wilma was a quiet achiever, although she made waves and challenged the norm. She didn't want praise for her work as she saw it as a part of her life. Her aim was to see the culture passed down to the next generation. Working for nothing in areas where little funding is available, Wilma is deserving of high praise.