Lowitja O’Donohue AC CBE DSG (1932-2024) was farewelled on International Women’s day at St Peters Cathedral Adelaide. The service was led by the Cathedral Dean (senior minister) and National Aboriginal Bishop Chris McLeod.
We almost lost her in the first week of November … but she soon decided assisted by the power of prayer and song that it was not yet her time.
Deborah Edwards. spoke for the family: “Many of you would know me as Deb, but my auntie only ever called me Deborah and she would want me to address myself correctly on an occasion such as this. Otherwise I would get into so much trouble. I’m the daughter of Lowitja’s sister Amy who was two years older and with whom she shared a very close bond. It would be amiss of me on this international women’s day to not acknowledge both of their incredible trailblazing achievements in South Australia.
“Lowitja as the first aboriginal trainee nurse at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and my mother Amy, her big sister, the first Aboriginal primary school teacher in South Australia. Such incredible women from one family. The collective hearts of our family are filled with heartbreak and sadness that our beloved auntie and nana has returned home graciously. She chose her time well a Sunday and when it came, she was peaceful, comfortable, and surrounded by those of us who loved and adored her. Auntie Lowitja was always fiercely independent and strong-willed. As many of you would know, we knew that she would always go when she was good and ready and most likely not without a fight. We almost lost her in the first week of November when Auntie Lowitja reached end of life stage across a period of about seven to 10 days, but she soon decided assisted by the power of prayer and song that it was not yet her time. …
“Last year I went to visit her after a few weeks away and she said, and where have you been off doing? Lowitja O Donohue business, I suppose. And then there was the poor orderly at her post-surgery Hospital stay in January who really copped it and dared to give her one back. Auntie may have called him a naughty word for not being very gentle with her in her opinion, and he replied with, well, I’ve never been called that by anyone with their own Wikipedia page before, so I’m going to let that one slide. …
“We loved her. We adored her. We have no idea what life will be like without her here. We are so proud of all that she was, all that she achieved and all that she gave to this nation. We are proud that she was ours. For my cousin Amy and I, the privilege and honour of caring for our auntie during the past 10 years was a gift that she gave to us.”
She served her community and Australia by not necessarily saying what others wanted to hear, but what they needed to hear.
Bishop Chris preached: … “Lowitja was certainly unique. She was her own person, but wonderfully gifted with great abilities. A remarkable woman. Leader of many, but also a servant of many. Not only the First Nations communities, but I would suggest to all Australians, she longed for a unity but in diversity, acknowledging the sameness but the difference.
“Lowitja offered powerful leadership to many and example to us all. She served her community and Australia by not necessarily saying what others wanted to hear, but what they needed to hear.
“Lowitja did that well with passion and with grace.
“At the heart of Lowitja’s life was her Christian faith. Lowitja was always strong in her faith. From years of Bible study which continued on through every decade of her life, right up to her death, she held no fear. Her faith carried and supported her throughout her entire life. Lowitja was raised in the Baptist tradition and she attended West Care Baptist Church here in Adelaide and also came here in the evening to St. Peter’s Cathedral.
“She told me that she liked the old hymns. Lowitja recognised of course the injustice of being removed from her mother and family and also that the role that the church played in this. Yet she found embedded in the Christian faith, the strength to deliver Christian life. While not being afraid to speak the truth, Lowitja was able to reconnect with her mother and family, but also to witness the consequences. When families forcibly separated, this affected her deeply, but it formed part of her drive to make life better for other people.
“Lowitja’s faith gave her strength. She continued to rise and succeed despite every challenge and obstacle. Often she was disarmed by prejudice and discrimination, but she continued on. She continued to create pathways through sheer [unclear] determination, tempered by grace, empathy and kindness.
“The work of First Nations Justice that so occupied Lowitja’s life remains with us. The job is not done. Lowitja’s legacy calls each one of us to continue to work for justice for First Nations peoples, which as she believed will only create a better Australia for all people. A fair and just Australia. Back to the gospel [The reading was John 14 which included Jesus words about his father’s house having many rooms]. The vision of Jesus is not just about what waits for us in the future. It also has to do with the present. A room for all in the father’s house, a room for each one of us.”
Updated with Small fixes to transcript