Honor feted for contribution to early childhood education
Published on 02 May, 2013
Honor Cleary OAM, or Aunty Honor, as she is known by both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, has been recognised for her contributions to early childhood education and the wider society...
The honorary degree of Doctor of the University was conferred upon Honor during CQUniversity's recent Brisbane Graduation Ceremony.
Honor is a Guwa and Kuku-yalanji woman who was born and raised in Cherbourg.
She completed an early childhood course with the childcare centre at the Brisbane City Hall and continued to work there for a period of over 12 months. Following this, Honor worked at the Yelangi Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Preschool for over 30 years. During this time, she brought in cultural, numeracy and literacy programs and services that had not previously been conducted with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.
Honor is a Board Member of the Moreton Regional Elders Committee, serves as an Elder with the Murri Court in Brisbane and is a Board member of the Health Service in North Brisbane. She is a founding member of Bunyabilla Aboriginal Corporation. She has lobbied long and hard for all people to access affordable housing options. In addition, Honor has served on selection committees and advisory boards for the Royal Brisbane Hospital. She was involved in the development and launch of the Super Clinic in Strathpine.
A mentor to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous people who have worked beside her over the years, Honor is called upon for many advisory roles and community-based initiatives. In January 2000, Honor received the Order of Australia medal for her service to the Aboriginal communities of Cherbourg and Brisbane, and in January 2001 received a Centenary Medal for service to the Aboriginal community, particularly at Pine Rivers. She has also been awarded a Rotary medal for her service to the community.
Her genuine unselfish commitment to her people, together with her knowledge of early childhood and Indigenous community-based issues and struggles has enabled her to achieve the most profound changes within the community and more importantly to the lives and future of the children and the communities.
