Elder Winifred: A Journey Back to Mission Beach

Elder Winifred Obar, a cultural advisor and a secretary for the elders advisory on Palm Island, shares a heartfelt story of community effort and personal connection as she reflects on the journey back to Mission Beach. This trip, two years in the making, was born out of a desire to reconnect with their roots and involved meticulous planning and fundraising. Winifred recalls the collective effort, saying, "We fundraised by homemade cookie, tarts cakes... and we sold all that for most of all of them." The community's dedication paid off when Rachel, the CEO, joined a meeting and offered to cover the expenses, which was a significant relief to all involved.

Winifred's connection to Mission Beach is deeply personal. Her grandmother and her brother, Alf Palmer, were among those moved from their original land to the mission. She fondly recalls, "My personal connection is through my grand, my grandmother and her brother Alf Palmer." This trip, although not her first, holds a special place in her heart as she anticipates walking on the land that is part of her heritage: "Just walking in, in on country there like, you know, for me to, um, think and that."

The journey is not just about revisiting a place; it's about honoring the past and maintaining cultural ties. Winifred and her cousin Margie, whose grandfather shares the same history, are part of a lineage that was scattered due to the mission's relocation efforts. Reflecting on this, Winifred shares the emotional weight of the visit: "So they sent people to my grandma that up to, um, Yuba. And that, and then, yeah, everyone was all scattered and brown."

As the trip approaches, the community stands united, buoyed by a sense of connection and belonging. Winifred's story is one of resilience and the enduring bond to her ancestral lands.