james wilson-miller.pdf

James is the tace ofNSW Seniors WeekBy DARREN COYNE

AN Aboriginalman from theWonnaruaNation in theHunter River

region of New South Waleshas been named the face ofNSW Seniors Week.

James Wilson-Miller, amember of the Gringai Clan,has been the curator of Koorihistory culture and design atthe Powerhouse Museum inSydney for the past 1 7 years.

The author and teacher,who has a passion forimproving men's health, is thefirst lndigenous person tolront the campaign.

The 64-year-old holds aCentenary of FederationMedal for his contributions toAboriginal issues, and is alsothe author ol the book Koor;Awilltowin.

Mr Wilson-Miller toldlhe Koori Mailhe was'ovenarhelmed' to have beenchosen and would do'everything I can to get thestory out about seniors healthand what Elders mean to ourpeople'.

"l'm very fortunate," hesaid. "l've recently turned 64and have still got my motherKathleen Miller, who is 84,and my father Bob Wilson,who is 86."

Mr Wilson-Miller waschosen as the face of thecampaign after people fromthe Department of Ageingvisited an exhibition at theAustralian Museum calledElders of Sydney in whichhe was featured.

He laughed offsuggestions that he was

chosen because he was sucha good-looking bloke, sayinghe was honoured to bechosen.

Mr Wilson-Miller is not theonly lndigenous person takingpart. Aboriginal man SteveWidders, of Armidale, andAunty Ruth Simms, of Nowra,have also been named asSeniors Week ambassadors.

Mr Widders, who is legallyblind, walked the KokodaTrack in 2011 and last yearrode a tandem bicyclebetween Brisbane andSydney to promote men'shealth and wellbeing.

The 57-year-old is amember of the Anaiwan and

Kamilaroi people of northernNSW, and he works full timeas an Aboriginal communityliaison officer with ArmidaleDumaresq Council.

Yarn upDuring NSW Seniors

Week, Mr Wilson-Miller willbe doing a yarn up with MrWidders. They will be joinedby Dr Phillip Bookalill on 22March from noon-2pm at theEast Armidale Centre inCanambe Street, Armidale.

The other Seniors Weekambassador, Aunty RuthSimms, has dedicated her lifeto improving educationopportunities for Aboriginal

students. She received anOrder of Australia Medal forservice to education as anAboriginal education officerand she supports childrenand their families, as wellas contributing to statecurriculum planning.

Still working full time at71, Aunty Ruth says sheloves her job.

"Education opens doorsto jobs and better healthwhich can make a bigdifference to bridging thegap between lndigenousand non-lndigenous people,"she said.

NSW Seniors Week will beheld between 17-24 March.

wonnarua man James wilson-Miller, the face of this year's NSW seniors week.