A Noongar elder from Girrawheen who has worked tirelessly to support Aboriginal families in the northern suburbs has been revealed as the first Holder of the Keys to the City of Wanneroo.
Previously referred to as a Freeman of the City, the symbolic gesture recognises individuals who demonstrate outstanding commitment and have made significant contributions to the local community.
Wanneroo council voted unanimously to bestow the title on Oriel Green, who has lived in Girrawheen for more than 50 years as a recognition of her tireless work to improve the social and emotional well-being of Aboriginal people.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWMs Green has been a community leader within the city for decades, already awarded two Medals of the Order of Australia, a Centenary Medal and as an inductee of the WA Aboriginal Education Hall of Fame.
Wanneroo mayor Linda Aitken said Ms Green stood as an example of how one person could leave an enduring mark on their community.
“Oriel embodies dedication and inspiration,” she said. “Her lifelong commitment to strengthening education, reconciliation and community empowerment outcomes has improved the lives of Aboriginal people right across Australia.
“By sharing her knowledge and advocating for Aboriginal communities locally and nationally, she has touched countless lives.
“As the inaugural chairperson for the city’s reconciliation action plan working group and a founding member of the northern suburbs reconciliation working group, she has played a pivotal role in fostering understanding and communication between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities, and contributed to a more inclusive and understanding environment within the city, breaking down barriers and promoting cultural respect.
“As a city and a community, we are incredibly fortunate to benefit from Oriel’s knowledge, commitment and compassion, and I am so happy to announce this recognition of her contributions to making our community better for everyone.”
Ms Green said she was “so happy” and “really overwhelmed” to be the inaugural recipient of the keys to the city.
“When I look at my life, I can’t believe all the things I’ve done, the committees, groups and events I’ve been part of,” she said.
“I try to do things in a quiet sort of way but I do them because I love people. Meeting them, sitting and chatting about interesting things that are happening at the time and offering people advice or an opinion when needed.
“When I first came out to Girrawheen in 1972, we didn’t have a shop and there was one way in and out of the area, but I thought it was wonderful and I was so happy to be here.
“I’ve seen so much change over the years, new schools and housing developments, it’s a bustling suburb now, but I still remember how I felt when I arrived and being so happy to see the area and see what my children would have here.
“I love the City of Wanneroo because of the people. I’ve loved raising my family here, and I’m so proud and humbled to be recognised in this way by my community.”
Born in the small town of Three Springs in 1935, Ms Green was the oldest of 14 children and landed in Girrawheen when she moved to Perth.
Passionate about education and helping young people achieve their potential, Ms Green pursued a career in early childhood education and studying while her own children were at school. She would go on to work with the Education Department for more than 20 years.
Ms Green was also on the National Aboriginal Early Childhood Committee for six years and has worked with the Aboriginal Affairs Planning Authority, Mt Lawley College of Advanced Education (now ECU) and Murdoch University on their Aboriginal advisory council committees.
In 1993, she received the NAIDOC Week Aboriginal Elder of the Year award and in 2012 was named NAIDOC Perth Female Elder of the Year. In 2010, she became a life member of the Aboriginal Alcohol and Drug Service (now Wungening Aboriginal Corporation).
Currently, Ms Green serves on several reconciliation action plan (RAP) committees at the cities of Wanneroo and Stirling, as well as Osborne Park Hospital, Key Assets, Ngala and Life Without Barriers. She is also an elder working on the Looking Forward, Moving Forward project, working with Mercy Care Perth and Wanada.
Oriel will be officially conferred as a Holder of the Keys to the City of Wanneroo at a ceremony in the coming weeks.