Elders urge youth to keep culture alive at 30th anniversary of Adelaide's first aboriginal aged care provider

"Know who you are, stand tall, get a good education and learn your language"— these are the powerful messages from Adelaide’s Aboriginal Elders to young First Nations people, as part of 30th anniversary celebrations of South Australia's largest Aboriginal aged care provider.

Ngarrindjeri Elder Mulla Sumner urged the next generation: “Don’t let our culture die out….Keep it going.”

“My passion is to see the next generation have a go at it….We need somebody to stand up and be a voice for us,” Ngarrindjeri Elder Aunty Maxine Risk says.

“My dream for youth today is that you stand tall in your culture, learn your language, know you family connectedness,” Wirangu/Kokatha Elder Aunty Cheryl Saunders says.

“Know who you are and get a good education – you’ll be set up for life,” Warlpiri/Kaytej/Anmatyerre/Alyawarre Elder Aunty Daisybelle Foster says to youth.

The trio is among more than 500 Elders in South Australia cared for by Aboriginal Community Services (ACS), established 30 years ago today.

To mark the occasion, and NAIDOC Week, ACS asked Elders to share their dreams for future generations. Their video messages will be screened this week to First Nations students from Tjindu Foundation in Adelaide.

The students reciprocated, with messages of thanks viewed by more than 300 Elders at a recent 30th anniversary event in Adelaide. “We are really grateful for all the knowledge of culture you have passed down,” 17-year-old East Arrente student Tarkyn says.

ACS was established on July 28, 1995, in Adelaide by a group of Aboriginal men and women concerned by the lack of support for increasingly isolated Elders.

It has grown from a small not-for-profit to today delivering aged care services to Elders in their homes across metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia and operating Adelaide’s only Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific residential aged care home in Davoren Park.

ACS Chief Executive Officer Graham Aitken said: "From humble beginnings, we've grown from a grassroots not-for-profit to the largest Aboriginal-controlled aged care provider in South Australia, with 125 dedicated staff caring for more than 500 Elders.

“What I am most proud of is our continuing commitment to provide care that respects the cultural identity and lived experiences of our Elders whether it’s in their own homes or at our residential aged care home in Davoren Park.

"Our Elders are the cultural knowledge holders, teachers, leaders and survivors of our communities. It’s our responsibility to make sure they can age with dignity, connected to Country, culture and loved ones."

Mr Aitken said as the organisation celebrated 30 years of serving Elders, it also looked to the future as more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with lived and historic trauma would require culturally appropriate aged care.

"We will continue to improve our services and grow our reach, while staying true to our roots as an Aboriginal community-controlled organisation and the understanding that our work isn’t just about aged care – it’s about honouring the legacy of those who came before us, those who walk with us now and in the future."

The video was produced by ACS, in collaboration with Tjindu Foundation, and funded by the National Indigenous Australian Agency.