In 2024, Australia will mark the 30th anniversary of the national recognition of Australian South Sea Islanders. This recognition was granted on August 25th, 1994, and will be celebrated on the same date in 2024. It is an important milestone for the community and a time to reflect on their history and contributions to Australian society.
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Australian South Sea Islanders United Council Independent Rockhampton & District Inc.
Uncle Ray Royce Willie (Royce)
Photo courtesy of Rae Willie
Uncle Royce was born on the 23 December 1948 at the Lady Godwin Hospital, Rockhampton, fifth child born to Florence and Emil Willie. He attended Berserker State School from Years 1 to 7. When he turned 13 years old, he finished school and did odd jobs like cleaning yards for Mrs Vaughan around Bennett and Robinson Streets, North Rockhampton.
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His mother Florence is the daughter of Edward (Bong) Vea Vea and Constance Vea Vea (nee Wolfer). Edwards parents were SamSam Ambrym, blackbirded from Ambrym Island and Lily Rataromon/Booka, blackbirded from the south sea islands. Constance’s parents were Henry/Billy Wolfer, blackbirded from Gaua Island and Olivia Wolfer (nee Witwit) also blackbirded from Gaua Island. His father Emil Willie is the son of Papa Sam Willie, blackbirded from Gaua Island and Minnie Willie (nee Choppy). Nan Minnie’s parents were Harry Choppy, blackbirded from Lifou, New Caledonia and Runhoa – AKA Annie Runhoa. Runhoa was blackbirded from the Banks Islands, Vanuatu.
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He was brought up in the Australian South Sea Islander community in North Rockhampton called Kanaka Town, in Creek Street. He has very fond memories growing up in the Old Place with seven other families living with us. He recalls having Aunty Norma, Uncle Duck Vea Vea, Uncle Kenna, Uncle Arn, Uncle Jobbie and Uncle Earl to name a few.
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His mother Florence was involved in the St John’s Church and with St David’s parish to which it belonged. His mother assisted with the cleaning of the church and with baking for the parish fetes. She continued in leadership roles and became a member of the CWA and first Australian South Sea Islander to do so. His father Emil Willie worked for several years for the Rockhampton Regional Council until his retirement.
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He has been retired for nine years after working for close to 50 years at the Lakes Creek Meatworks. He has been married to his wife Margaret for close to 40 years and between them they have four children, Danessa, Raeleen, Sharee and Sidney, grandchildren, Javarn, Jaymzhi, Emerson, Jesse, Amber, Sienna and Tillara and great-grandchildren Anaya, Mila Kathleen, LaRaeah, Allisiah and Prince.
Aunty Monica Leo
Photo courtesy of Joanne Warkill
Monica Nora Leo (née Malamoo) is the youngest of 8 children of Charles And Nora Malamoo.
Monica is a first descendant of ‘blackbirded’ Charles Malamoo who was taken from Laone Beach North Pentecost as a young boy. Charles landed in the Pialba area during the slave trade and worked the cane fields. Eventually making his way to Rockhampton later in life he met and Married Nora Milbury-Cora. Settling in the South Sea Islander community of Joskeleigh they raised their family of 4 boys and 4 girls.
Charles also worked on the construction of the first Fitzroy Bridge (previous bridge to current one). Charles would also preach at gospel meetings in Joskeleigh with members of the Creek Street North Rockhampton south sea Islander community making the trip down to hear him preach.
He became great friends with Monica’s Husband’s Grandfather Louis Leo (Mahava Aru) blackbirded from the same beach on North Pentecost. Actually Joe and Monica would discover in 1993 that her father and his grandfather’s villages were in close proximity to each other. Monica’s fathers Village is Ogatoa North Pentecost and Joe’s Grandfather’s is Lagatava.
It all made sense to them only then why the two men were always together at Joskeleigh.
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Monica and Joe raised 7 Children (Carmen, Tracy, Joanne, Andrew, Kerri, Amanda and Nicole), presently have 14 Grandchildren and 20 Great Grandchildren.
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