Aboriginal elder Rob Lowe Senior said he was shocked to be announced one of 16 older Victorians to be receiving an award at Government House.
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The Peek Whurrong man was nominated for the Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year for his extensive service to the south-west community.
His nomination was thanks to five different community groups who submitted their reasons for wanting Mr Lowe to be publicly recognised.
Although the category is yet to be advised and winner as yet unknown, Mr Lowe and wife Daphne will be attending the awards ceremony next month together with their invited guests.
“I was so shocked when they called I had to hand the phone over to Daph,” Mr Lowe said.
“I’m still in shock. I’m not used to all this attention on me.”
Mr Lowe has been presented with several awards recognising his contribution to society, including a 2014 Community Achievement Award.
In 2016, he received the national Kookaburra Award from Parks Victoria for his time spent managing state parks and reserves.
Letters accompanying Mr Lowe’s nomination were from a range of community groups.
Warrnambool Clontarf Academy director Mick Riddle said Mr Lowe was an invaluable source of wisdom for both himself and the teenage boys in his program.
“Rob has been an incredible advocate and support for our program and has contributed hugely to its success,” he said.
“He has played a major role in Clontarf and we would never have achieved the huge success without him playing a pivotal role.”
Warrnambool Art Gallery director Vanessa Gerrans said Mr Lowe was committed to sharing his culture.
“In recent months Uncle Robbie’s health has been problematic but this has not stopped him helping out where ever he can,” she said.
“Most recently he has been an advocate for the Aboriginal collection here at Warrnambool Art Gallery and performed a smoking ceremony and several Welcome to Countries.
“He also made an important contribution to the NADIOC Day celebrations this year, highlighting the lives of his great grandmother, grandmother and mother.
“Uncle Robbie has made a remarkable contribution to the community and this should be recognised.”
President of Friends of Swan Reserve Kevin Sparrow said working with Mr Lowe on the upgrade to Warrnambool’s Swan Reserve had taught him a great deal about local Indigenous culture.
“He has certainly educated me on the history that his people have over thousands of years in south west Victoria, “ he said.
“He is passionate about passing on this history to all who will listen including the many young aboriginal people in this and other districts and is a great role model for them.
“He regularly conducts talks to the students of Warrnambool's schools and captivates them with his many stories of the past.”
“While many unspeakable things happened in the past to his people, he is never the less very positive about the future and what role his people might have in it.
“He has a great legacy to leave.”
Brauer College’s Will King said Mr Lowe had changed his life.
“The history of the local Indigenous people of Warrnambool, the Peek Wurrung and Kirrae Wurrung, was largely ignored until Rob bravely decided to tell their story,” he said.
“Despite health problems associated with ageing, Rob remains excited about being involved in a range of community projects. While his back and knees may cause him great pain, he is always dedicated to pursuing his goal of making people aware of the role played by Indigenous people in the history of Warrnambool and south-west Victoria.
“I find his energy, commitment and resilience inspiring and he has even inspired me to pursue a Phd in local Indigenous history.
“Rob has transformed my life and I thank him for it every chance I get.”
Warrnambool Community Garden convenor Julie Eagles said the community relied on the stories Mr Lowe has to share.
“Peek Whurrong elder Robert Lowe Senior’s contribution to building respectful relationships and confidence in a shared future for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in our Warrnambool community cannot be overstated,” she said.
“His quiet generosity, kindness and skill for sharing stories, knowledge and cultural awareness in our community are the very essence of true reconciliation.
“Our community is so much the richer to have his spirit and passion working to build relationships and understanding between people of all cultures and ages.”
Ms Eagles and Ms Gerrans are coordinating a fundraising effort to raise $25,000 for pain relief surgery that Mr Lowe requires but is not covered by Medicare.
Mr Lowe has suffered back pain for almost 43 years and following a successful trial last month doctors are confident the operation would be a success.
The pair have raised $9,000 for the surgery which is booked for September 17.
“We’ve set up a dedicated account that is in Vanessa’s name and donations of any amount will be accepted,” Ms Eagles said.
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