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Moree Cemetery: Aboriginal Diggers

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Click on any of the soundfields on the map above to play a story. Note: On location, GPS would trigger these stories automatically.

A colour image of a tombstone
A tombstone of Granny Kate from the Moree Aboriginal cemetery
A photo of a woman holding a photo
Linda Boney holds up a photo of her father, Percy Suey
A black and white image of a woman
Anthropologist, Marie Raay, from her book Aborigines Now. Copyright, Marie Raay
Two woman holding an award
Aunty Noeline Briggs Smith receiving an award from senior New South Wales politician, Kristina Kineally

Yaama. You are standing on sacred ground, Kamilaroi ground.

Beneath your feet are the remains of 220 Aboriginal people, 120 children among them, many who never made their first birthday.

Most here were buried here between the years of 1940 and 1968. This was at the height of segregation, opportunities for Aboriginal people were few and lives were carefully controlled by the white authorities.

Beneath the plinths, the plaques and headstones stories from this time are unfolding: the Archdeacon who determined Aboriginal people ought to have their own burial section; the young Aboriginal men who signed up to fight for king and country, who these extraordinary men were and the life to which they returned; and how this site, once flood damaged, bare and neglected, is now meticulously documented and newly restored.

Soundtrails is a geo locative audio experience and we invites you to come on this journey, walk this land with respect, and discover for yourself its many rich and hidden layers.

Ngindi Baabili Tubbiarbri

Credits & Contributors

Archdeacon Border:
Noeline Briggs-Smith, Harry White, reading from Marie Reay’s Diary (Australian National University 440/#1/Items 1-18) by Helen Wilkinson, narration by Hamish Sewell

Alex Stanley:
Isobel Johnson, Lyall Butterworth & Alf Scott (from Moree RSL)

Fairview Nursing Home Moree:
Noeline Briggs-Smith

Len Waters:
Leonard Waters (nephew to Uncle Len)

Percy Suey:
Linda Boney, Isobel Johnson

Extremely Patriotic!:
Linda Boney, John Maynard

Upon Their Return:
Alf Scott (from Moree RSL), John Maynard, Leonard Waters, Linda Boney, ‘Friendship Road’ sung by Roger Knox

At Last they’ve Been Recognised:
Harry White, Noeline Briggs-Smith, ‘Prayer’ in Language spoken by Bernadette Duncan, ‘Where the Roses Never Fade’ sung by The Newman Sisters (originally written & sung by Norma Jean)

Hidden Soundfield: 
Prayer and musings by Roger Knox. Also featuring Benadette Duncan and Marlene Hinch. Roger Knox sings ‘Suppertime’ (originally written and sung by Ira Stamphill) & ‘New Normal’. ‘Suppertime’ also sung by Marlene Hinch.

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