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Blak & Bright First Nations Literary Festival acknowledges the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people of the Kulin Nation as the traditional custodians of the sacred lands on which we work. We pay our respects to the people of the Kulin Nations and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, past present and future.

We recognise all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as the first storytellers; and that knowledge transfer through storytelling is imbedded in the very DNA of this Country.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings or printed material.

Aunty Pattie Lees is outside standing under a tree and next to a metal fence. Her hands are clasped together with her glasses held in her hands also. She is smiling looking at the camera, and has short and wavy grey hair. SHe is wearing the NAIDOC 2015 polo shirt, that is very colourful and has many Aboriginal themed graphics, such as the aboriginal flag,and traditional painting.

Aunty Pattie Lees

Pattie Lees was born in Cairns, North Queensland, and was removed from her family at an early age and sent to Palm Island as a Ward of the State. At the age of nineteen she joined the Women’s Royal Australian Navy. She represented Australia as a delegate at several United Nations development forums. She is currently CEO of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Children and Youth Services. Married to husband Terry for 51 years, Pattie is the mother of four children, grandmother to twelve and a great-grandmother.

Events

FREE

A Big Life

These first time authors have written captivating memoirs of their extraordinary lives. We hear from Aunty Veronica Gorrie, Aunty Pattie Lees, and Adam Lees. Moderator Aunty Bev Murray.

March 20, 2022
1.45pm—2.45pm
@ The Wheeler Centre: Performance Space

Borrow a Living Book

Sit down with an Elder who will share a story of their lived experience. Immerse yourself in rich stories from four fabulous and fascinating Elders in an intimate and personal setting. With Uncle Larry Walsh, Aunty Pattie Lees, Aunty Pam Pederson and Uncle Talgium Edwards. The setting, Big Esso (Mabu Mabu), is an Indigenous bar…

This event has multiple sessions:
March 19: 3.00pm
March 19: 4.00pm
@ Big Esso – Mabu Mabu