Blacktown City Council is remembering Uncle Wes Marne AM.
“Living on Dharug Country, the First Nations communities significantly enrich Blacktown City’s cultural landscape. Within those communities are unique individuals who leave their indelible mark on us,” Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting said.
“Uncle Wes Marne AM, a Bigambul man and Elder, was one of those people.”
Born in 1922, Uncle Wes lived in Mount Druitt for over 50 years of his 102 years. He passed away on Saturday morning, 31 August 2024.
Uncle Wes was a deeply respected Elder, an advocate for Country, a treasured member of our community and an educator.
He shared his love of First Nations culture and worked tirelessly to share stories and knowledge in schools, universities, and yarning circles across Australia.
“Blacktown City is so much richer for the culture and education that Uncle Wes Marne brought to all through his storytelling and his care for community,” the mayor said.
“Uncle Wes was committed to sharing his culture, sharing the traditional knowledge of his grandfather’s creation and dreaming stories, and his own learnings from personal experiences of his life as a Bigambul man over the last century,” Mayor Bunting said.
Every Friday, Uncle Wes connected with the Blacktown City community through the Elders in Residence Program at The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre.
Uncle Wes was a founding member of the Mount Druitt and District Reconciliation Group who, for the past 22 years, have organised an annual Reconciliation Walk and Concert in Mount Druitt.
In 2022, Blacktown City Council honoured Uncle Wes with the Key to the City when he turned 100 years old.
In the same year Uncle Wes was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his service to the Indigenous community in Western Sydney.
Western Sydney University made him an Honorary Fellow in recognition of his contribution as a cultural leader, an advocate, educator, and mentor to the communities of Western Sydney. Uncle Wes was also an Elder on the Western Sydney University Campus.
He was recognised with the inaugural NSW Department of Education, Nanga Mai Love of Learning Award, recognising innovation, excellence and achievement in Aboriginal education.
In 2022 Uncle Wes advocated for the establishment of the Murray-Toola Damana pre-school for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in Mount Druitt, keeping local children connected to culture.
Uncle Wes Marne, published his book of poems “Through Old Eyes” in 2022, and his show Fire Bucket premiered at the 2016 Sydney Festival, playing to sell out audiences, touring to Melbourne and throughout regional NSW.
Uncle Wes worked every day in his Mount Druitt community, throughout Blacktown City, Western Sydney, and beyond. He dedicated his life to helping children, young people and their families.
Mayor Bunting said he is deeply loved and valued within our First Nation communities, and throughout the City of Blacktown and communities across Australia.
Blacktown City mourns the passing of Uncle Wes Marne AM, we offer our deepest condolences to his family and our community. We will continue to honour his prestigious legacy.
