Roebourne gathers at Old Reserve to honour, respect Elders’ Birthday

It was all smiles at the Old People’s Birthday at the Old Reserve in Roebourne on Wednesday.

Families gathered at Roebourne’s Old Reserve on July 1 to mark Elders’ Birthday, a long-running community celebration honouring Aboriginal Elders whose birthdays were not formally recorded.

The day brings people together for food, music, cultural dancing, family and reflection, while recognising the old people who carried knowledge, language and culture through difficult times.

For many Aboriginal families, July 1 became the date written down as a birthday when official records were missing, incomplete or never made. In Roebourne, the day has become an important local tradition.

Yinjibarndi Elder Jane Cheedy said the celebration was about respect, connection and keeping Elders close.

For Yinjibarndi Elder Jane Cheedy, Old People’s Birthday was all about respect, connection and listening.

“It’s a beautiful winter’s day,” Ms Cheedy said.

“It’s awesome just sitting here under this tent, seeing all the people gathered here and coming together to celebrate our Elders’ Birthday.”

Ms Cheedy said she was looking forward to the dancing, the Ngunda , and sharing food including kangaroo tail cooked on the coals.

She said the day was also a reminder for young people to listen to Elders while they are still here.

“I’d like to tell the young people to listen to your Elders and always respect your Elders,” she said.

“Be helpful towards your Elders too, because we won’t be here for very long.

“We’re just here passing on our knowledge, our wisdom and our language to the younger generations coming behind us.”

Even the young ones got into the spirit on Old People’s Birthday in Roebourne on Wednesday.

Beth Smith, who helped start the Roebourne celebration more than 30 years ago, said the idea began when she was working with Elders at the local TAFE.

“It took me a little while to realise that everybody had their birthday on the same day,” Ms Smith said.

“Just for the fun of it, about 33 years ago we said, ‘Let’s have a birthday.’ In those days there were about 80 people in Roebourne who had the first of July as their birthday.”

Ms Smith said only a small number of those original Elders are still alive, but the community remains determined to keep the day going.

“Everyone is really keen to keep going with it, to not forget our old people,” she said.

She said the event is driven by volunteers and belongs to the Elders, not one organisation or individual.

“Nobody gets paid to do anything,” Ms Smith said.

“The real success of the day is that it doesn’t belong to anybody except the Elders.”

The Old Reserve itself carries deep meaning for many families.

Ms Smith said it was a place where families were brought after being moved from other areas, and also where the Pilbara Aboriginal Church began more than 50 years ago.

Morgon Lockyer leading out the Yinjibarndi Dancers at the Old People’s Birthday, the Old Reserve Roebourne

For Elder Jeffrey Adams, returning to the Old Reserve brought back powerful memories.

“As I was coming this way, memories flooded back into my mind,” Mr Adams said.

“I feel sad and happy. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry.”

Yindjibarndi Elder Jeffrey Adams enjoyed the festivities at the Old People’s Birthday in Roebourne on Wednesday.

Mr Adams said the place reminded him of old swimming spots, family stories and the people who lived there. He also shared a message for younger people.

“If an Elder comes to you and tells you to stop, listen,” he said.

“Do what the old people are telling you. Respect the old man and the old lady.”

Ken Kelly, a Menang Noongar man living on Ngarluma Country, said Elders’ Birthday was a tribute to resilience and an important day on Roebourne’s calendar.

“It’s great to see the amount of community members and organisations here supporting the event,” Mr Kelly said.

“It’s a big day on the calendar for Roebourne.”

Mr Kelly said the story of July 1 birthdays is familiar to many Aboriginal families across Western Australia.

“My dad was Stolen Generation,” he said.

“He was born in the bush under a tree, and the only way he got his birthday was that the police estimated what date he was born and he was given that date.”

In the shade of a gazebo at the Old Reserve, the Old People’s Day is one enjoyed by everyone in Roebourne.

He encouraged young people to learn their family history from Elders.

“Go back and ask the Elders,” Mr Kelly said.

“The only way we’re going to go forward is with a strong foundation of understanding.”

Local man Hemi Hinaki said the Old Reserve remains a significant place for families in Ieramagadu.

“This is Country,” he said.

“This is where the people were put to be outside the main town back in the day, but it still holds a lot of significance for the people here.”

He said the celebration was a chance to honour Elders and recognise the history they lived through.

“Every year we come and celebrate them,” he said.

All generations came along to Old People’s Day at the Old Reserve, Roebourne, on Wednesday.

Ngarluma woman Shanine Ryan, who MC’d the event, said this year’s celebration was emotional after recent losses in the community.

“It has been a bittersweet year because we’ve been through so much loss,” Ms Ryan said.

“A couple of our Elders that would normally be here with us today are not. But nonetheless, we’ve managed to commemorate and celebrate their legacy and their memory.”

Ms Ryan said seeing young people involved through dancing, singing and being present with Elders was one of the most powerful parts of the day.

“That whole intergenerational connectivity makes my heart feel really strong,” she said.

Volunteering is a vital part of the spirit that brought people together for Old People’s Day again this year.

She said the community should not wait until Elders are gone before showing love and respect.

“Honour our old people while they’re here with us,” Ms Ryan said.

“Let’s continue to be in their lives and support them each and every day where we can, because before you know it they might not be here to celebrate with us or walk alongside us.”

Ms Cheedy said when Elders come together, it keeps them connected and reminds them they are valued.

“It keeps the Elders’ minds connected,” she said.

“If all the Elders come together and talk to each other, that keeps us feeling wanted and connected.”

The young ones performed for one and all at the Old Reserve for Old People’s Birthday ths week.

She said Elders’ Birthday was also a time to remember those who have passed and to stand together as a community.

“I hope all the people gathered here today on the reserve are listening and standing as one,” Ms Cheedy said.

“Listening to each other, standing together, respecting each other and learning together on this day.”