Last Sunday, Sacred Heart Cathedral hosted a special service that was deeply symbolic and a celebration of culture, memory and hope for the future during NAIDOC Week. 

Drawing on this year’s theme – The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy – the Diocese was honoured to be able to celebrate this and the legacy of William “Bill” Smith, an Aboriginal leader in Newcastle. Uncle Bill’s family, including wife Aunty Gloria Smith, daughter Aunty Cheryl Yaramun and great-grandson Levi Briggs attended the ceremony, with Levi giving a powerful speech to the congregation.  

Those who attended the service were welcomed by Aunty Gloria and Aunty Cheryl, before participating in a symbolic ancient smoking ceremony, while listening to the native sounds from Alex Nean and his yidaki.  

Wirikah Knox from Catherine McAuley Catholic College, Medowie then played an acoustic version of “My Island Home” as guests entered the Cathedral.  

The Service was led with reverence and care and included the placing of the stole on presider Fr Greg Barker by Aunty Gloria and Aunty Louise Campbell. The same stole that was once gifted to Archbishop George Carey when he came to address crowds in 1997 publicly apologising to Aboriginal people on behalf of all leaders of the major Christian Churches in the Hunter region. Fr Darryl Mackie was also part of the service, delivering a moving homily.   

At the event, Levi, who is also an Aboriginal Educator at St Mary’s Catholic College, Gateshead spoke fondly of his Pop, Uncle Bill on how he continues to guide and inspire him every single day:  

“Since his passing in 2021, I’ve done my best to follow in his footsteps. And one of the greatest honours of my life so far is being trusted to carry that mission forward — stepping in and continuing the spirit journey that Pop began, through Mimiga Wajaar (Mother Earth, Uncle Bill’s cultural business). 

“I carry that with respect, humility, and a lot of pride. It’s not something I take lightly — it’s part of my promise to him, to our family, and to culture.”   

Levi also honoured two other pivotal Elders who have been instrumental to him, Great-Grandmother Gloria Smith and Aunty Louise Campbell. 

“I’m proud to stand here today. Proud of my Pop, and proud to carry his legacy forward with love, truth, and culture at the heart of it all. 

“So, in his honour, I’ll finish the way he often did — Follow your dreams, follow your vision, find that mountain and follow that eagle to the top, don’t let anyone pull you back or stop you.” 

You can read more of Levi’s speech by clicking here. 

The Diocesan service was enriched with the burial of a time capsule, marking the 50th anniversary of NAIDOC. 

It was filled with a message stick, painted gum leaves, artwork, significant documents of the local faith communities’ journey with their local descendants and soil from all eight Aboriginal tribes within the Diocesan border. 

The capsule was buried on the grounds of the Sacred Heart Cathedral, Newcastle and is scheduled to be opened in 30 years’ time.  

In his closing prayer, Fr Greg Barker reflected on the enduring commitment of the Diocese to reconciliation and walking together:  

“May this capsule hold more than memories. May it stand as a beacon of our enduring hope, a vessel for our shared visions for future generations, and a testament to the legacy we pledge to pass on, firmly rooted in the sacred soil beneath our feet. 

“We bless this time capsule, plaque and this site, as a sign of hope today and into tomorrow.” 

William “Bill” Smith and his connection to our Diocese

In the late 1990s, Fr Tony Stace, who was instrumental in getting the Diocesan Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Catholic Ministry established, penned these words on Uncle Bill:  

“In William (Bill) Smith, what do people go out to see? What do they find? A man who established avenues of employment for Aboriginal people in Newcastle? Someone who is an acknowledged leader among men? One who speaks with authority and has negotiated political settlements with Government and Commercial bodies? A man who helped establish successful Aboriginal co-operatives and Land Councils? A man who has helped steer Koori football from local to state to International connections? A man who loves and respects his Aboriginal culture? All of the above and much more. 

“Bill is a man of Sacred Ceremony. He is a keeper of mysteries, a keeper of tradition and a leader of people. He is an Aboriginal who has married Aboriginal Spirituality and Christian Heritage. In May 1994, on the vigil of Pentecost, Bill and some Koori Men took me to a camp near Mt Yango, a very strong site of significance for Aboriginal People. That night they were to teach me bout the Spirit of the Land and the Spirit who descended when the Apostles were at Pentecost. This was a profound cultural – spiritual walk. At a gathering in his Country on the McDonald River, he collected a container of clear water from a flowing stream as a living sign of blessings and for the renewal of commitment to follow Christ.”

Article by Kate Crncevic and Elizabeth Symington.