Monday, May 28, 2018 seniorsnews.com.au
Profile Story: Dame Quentin Bryce
Coffs and Clarence
Seniors 5
Ex-GG becomes DD Role model Dame lovingly leads future generation Gail Forrer
THE grandchildren call her Dee Dee, a name that evolved from Gee Gee, a reference to her former position as Governor-General. In 2008, Dame Quentin Bryce, became Australia’s first female to hold this position and right from the first official photoshoot she signalled a fresh approach to the illustrious office. Instead of a ceremony featuring the ubiquitous suit and tie we were given a picture of a sophisticated woman decked out in a fiery red dress amidst a gaggle of grandchildren in a suitably matching style of red spots. At 75 years old, Dame Quentin has a completed a life-time of community work together with senior national and international positions which have allowed her to campaign and shape a generation of gender and family politics. While she has officially retired from her public roles, she sees her position as a role model to future generations as of the utmost importance. “There is responsibility in being an elder,” she said, “and it is a serious responsibility.” As patron of the recent WOW (Women of the World) Festival held in Brisbane, Dame Quentin spoke on a panel which included Indigenous leader Lisa Mumbin who was born and raised in Katherine and now leads her community on cultural maintenance, support for women and youth; Agnes Titus a mother of the Bougainville Women’s Movement. She has held many roles in local level
government and with organisations promoting women leadership and peace building, including as UNWomen coordinator for Bougainville. The panel was complemented with the inclusion of philanthropist and pastoralist Gina Fairfax who, along with her husband Tim, has made an enormous contribution to the Arts and regional communities. As Dame Quentin affirmed her own role as a mentor, she recalled the people who made a difference in her life including Connie Bush from Groote Eylandt.
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Now it is up to us to support and pass on the torch of the wonderful Australian Women’s Movement. She said she held treasured memories of “my darling pal” and the invaluable contribution she made sharing with her the story of the “stolen generations” and sharing teachings about language, country and culture. “Now it is up to us to support and pass on the torch of the wonderful Australian Women’s Movement,” she said. “We must support our young women to be engaged and involved in the community.” Lovingly, she also recognises her part in the lives of her 11 grandchildren. “Our knowledge of brain development shows how
DEE DEE: Quentin Bryce with her grandchildren Georgette Bryce-Parkin, Alexandra Bryce-Browning, Claudia Bryce-Browning, Lucinda Bryce-Browning and Rupert Bryce-Parkin in 2008. PHOTO: ENGLAND DARREN
incredibly important the early years are for learning,” she said. She admits she had no idea of what challenges lie in the future, but knows that qualities of resilience and strength will always be of assistance and that those qualities can be built through a rich cultural life and accompanying reflection. For the Bryce family grandchildren, quality time with the grandparents can include art gallery and museum trips, listening to music and reading poetry.
One thing that was not mentioned in this conversation was retirement. Each of these women, leaders in their communities, are totally committed to providing ongoing intellectual and emotional encouragement to women besides supporting their place within family, workplace and community. It seems the role of teacher, mentor, mother and grandmother is simply part of their DNA.
Quentin Bryce and friends pictured at Lockhart River in 2013.
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