Unity Foundation Patrons

Ernie Dingo

Ernie Dingo was born at Bullaroo Station, out of Mullewa. The second of nine children, Ernie was given the name Oondamooroo, meaning shield in the Wadjarri language of the Yamatji people. 

Ernie has been the host of the popular holiday destination program The Great Outdoors since 1993. He has appeared in many Australian television series such as The Flying Doctors, Heartbreak High and Rafferty's Rules. He also appeared in the TV mini-series' The Cowra Breakout (1984), A Waltz Through th Hills (1987), (for which he won an AFI Award for Best Actor in a Television Drama) and Kings is Grass Castles (1997), as well as co-starring with Cate Blanchett in the Australian television drama series Heartland ("Heartland" is known as "Burned Bridges" in the United States).

Ernie is keen to  be involved in Unity events, programs and assisting to raise awareness in the community of the Unity Foundation mission

Carolyn Briggs
Elder of the Boonwurrung people

Carolyn Briggs is a respected Elder of the Boonwurrung people, a clan of the greater Kulin nations the traditional owners of the land around Melbourne.

The Elder title that carries with it a respect for her knowledge compassion, contribution, negotiation skills and dignity.

In the challenges that face indigenous and non-indigenous communities today, Carolyn Briggs has described how she draws inspiration from her great grandmother, Louisa Briggs, as both a model of strength and as someone who acted as a cultural link helping to keep alive her people's heritage. She also acknowledges the role that noted activist, educator and community leader Hyllus Maris played as a mentor in her life.

Through her work she has continued this tradition of strength and heritage preservation. She helped establish the first Aboriginal child care centre in Dandenong in the 1970s, the Dja Dja Wrung Aboriginal Cooperative in Bendigo, and a large number of other community organisations.

She has played a significant role in the struggle for recognition and rights for the Boonwurrung people, which culminated in the first indigenous land use agreement for the Melbourne area. She has also made substantial contribution to indigenous arts through her involvement with the Ilbijerri ATSI Theatre Cooperative and as a patron of the innovative Somebody's Daughter Theatre Company.

She has also made a very personal contribution to the welfare of indigenous people in Victoria. She was one of three Victorian Investigators into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody and, as well as raising her own family, has acted as a foster parent for older indigenous children. She has also worked to provide culturally appropriate services at the Royal Women's Hospital.

As a role model for younger generations of indigenous women, she has shown that they can be brokers of change, not only as mothers and nurturers, but also as political and cultural advocates.

Underpinning all this work has been her cultural knowledge and her willingness to pass this knowledge on to others. When you take young people out into the bush and they see what concepts like sharing and family really mean, it's always inspirational. It makes you think yes we are going to get there.