Lydia Lynch reports in the Brisbane Times (27.11.19) on the passing of well known and much respected Queensland activist and Indigenous community leader, Sam Watson.
‘Brisbane Aboriginal community leader Sam Watson has passed away, a fortnight after his 67th birthday.
‘Mr Watson, a long-term activist for Aboriginal rights, was “surrounded by loved ones, who held his hand as he made his final journey back to the Old People” on Wednesday.
‘The proud Wangerriburra and Birri Gubba man, who had blood ties to the Jagara, Kalkadoon and Noonuccal Peoples, began his life of advocacy at 16 handing out how-to-vote cards for the 1967 referendum.
‘The referendum endorsed by more than 90 per cent of Australians saw the constitution amended to allow the Commonwealth to make laws for Aboriginal people and so they were also in the Census.
‘”In the ensuing years, Sam became a founding member of the Brisbane Chapter of the Australian Black Panthers and he proudly belonged to the original Aboriginal Tent Embassy,” a family statement read.’
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Funeral service for Sam Watson
The family of Uncle Sam Watson has invited members of the public to attend a funeral service to pay their respects and celebrate Sam’s life. The service will be held at Jagera Hall in Musgrave Park, Edmonstone Street, South Brisbane on Friday 6 December at 11AM.
Uncle Sam’s family requests that donations in lieu of flowers be made to Link-Up (QLD).