Honor Dell Cleary | |
---|---|
Born | [1] Cherbourg, Queensland, Australia | 12 February 1938
Died | 12 November 2022[1] Cherbourg, Queensland, Australia | (aged 84)
Occupation | Early childhood educator |
Known for | Advocacy in the education, health and housing sectors |
Honor Dell Cleary OAM (12 February 1938 – 12 November 2022) was an Australian early childhood educator and community leader.[2][3]
Cleary is credited with introducing cultural, numeracy and literacy programs and services never before taught to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children.[2]
Cleary was a Guwa and Kuku Yalanji Aboriginal woman who was born and raised in Cherbourg, Queensland.[2]
Her career commenced when she completed an early childhood course with the childcare centre situated at Brisbane City Hall.[2] After working at the centre for a further twelve months after obtaining her qualification, after which she commenced working for the Yelangi Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Preschool where she stayed for more than thirty years.[2][3]
Her community involvement included serving as an elder with the Murri Court, as a board member of the Moreton Regional Elders Committee and as a board member of the Health Service.[2] Cleary also had an interest in health and housing issues, particularly in the Moreton Bay and Pine Rivers regions.[2] She was a foundation member of the Bunyabilla Aboriginal Corporation, and lobbied for accessible and affordable housing options.[2] Cleary also served on advisory boards for the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, and helped develop and establish a super clinic at Strathpine.[2]
A social housing complex at Lawnton was named in Honor Dell Cleary Place in her honour in 2018.[3]
Cleary was also involved with the Brisbane Natives Rugby League Football Club and The Golden Oldies, an annual celebration of elders from Aboriginal missions and communities.[4] She was also involved with establishing the first local Aboriginal debutante balls and the local Ration Shed tours.[4][5]
In the 2000 Australia Day Honours, Cleary was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia in recognition of her services to Aboriginal communities.[6] She was awarded the Centenary Medal in 2001, also for her service to the Aboriginal community particularly at Pine Rivers.[7]
In 2013, Cleary was awarded an honorary Doctor of the University degree from Central Queensland University in recognition of her contributions to early childhood education.[2]
She died on 12 November 2022.[3] A funeral was held at the Cherbourg Community Hall on 25 November 2022.[3][8]
In 2023, she was posthumously named as a Queensland Great.[4]