She was recently awarded Elder of the Year for the Wollongong, Kiama, Shellharbour and Shoalhaven local government areas at the Regional Local government NAIDOC Awards.

Not that her students need any reminding of how incredible she is.

Every school day for the past 23 years Aunty Pat has been a quiet, steady and positive influence on every one she has met.

The award was for Aunty Pat’s outstanding contribution to education and community involvement and her efforts towards reconciliation.

Aunty Pat is one of two Aboriginal Education Officers (AEO) at Shoalhaven High School, starting there in 1991. She previously worked at Nowra High for five years before that.

Kerrie Lindsay is the deputy principal at the school and described Aunty Pat as a positive role model.

“She is very dedicated and committed to the students and she strives to give them every opportunity possible,” Ms Lindsay said.

Janelle Burnes, the other AEO at Shoalhaven High said that Aunty Pat is an inspiration.

“She is quiet but if there’s an issue that she needs to stand up for she will," she said.

“The Elder of the Year award is well-deserved, she is very humble in her achievements.

“She has dedicated herself to so many things in the community, not only her work in the school but also the AECG (Aboriginal Education Consultative Group), the council and an elders group that she volunteers for."

For Aunty Pat, receiving the award was a shock.

“I was surprised, but winning it would not have been possible if not for my family, friends and community.

“If it hadn’t been for that respect and support I wouldn’t be able to do what I do. I’m passionate about Aboriginal education and about my people achieving,” she said.

Aunty Pat grew up in the age of segregation and was sent out to work as a house maid from the age of 14.

“I remember going to the movies and there would be a rope segregating the white folk from the Aboriginals,” she said.

“I was denied an education when I was young. My dream is to see our Koori students achieve in life – to do that they have to be introduced to the mainstream education. The young generation of today is our future,” she said.

Aunty Pat’s grandfather was born on Coolangatta Mountain (Cullunghutti) and she is a descendant of the Yuin nation. 

“My history is all around this place,” she said.

Her father was part of the stolen generation and she remembers the sadness that surrounded him, with not knowing his family.

But she is not one to hold a grudge and credits those hard times growing up with making her the person she is today.

“We have to nurture and encourage the kids to achieve in life and the only way to do that is through education.

“I love what I do, that’s why I am still here at 65 years of age,” she said.