Albert Holt facts for kids

Albert Holt (born in 1936), often called Uncle Albert Holt, is a respected Aboriginal elder. He belongs to the Bidjara people.

Uncle Albert's Early Life

Uncle Albert Holt was born in 1936. He was born at a place called the Barambah Mission Reserve. This place is now known as Cherbourg. His family had to move there from their traditional lands. Their home country was near Springsure.

His father was from the Bidjara nation. His mother came from the Yiman and Wakaman nations.

Helping His Community

Throughout his life, Uncle Albert has worked hard to help his community. He has spoken up for fairness and justice. He also wanted better education and health for Australian First Nations people.

He has been part of many important groups. These groups advise leaders on policies and plans.

Making Schools Better

For twenty years, Uncle Albert worked to make schools more welcoming. He wanted them to teach Aboriginal history. He also encouraged students to use all their learning chances.

Uncle Albert still visits many schools. He talks to students about Aboriginal culture. He also promotes reconciliation, which means bringing people together. By 2019, over eight local schools had "adopted" Uncle Albert. This means they see him as a special guide.

In 2011, Uncle Albert started a school. It is called the Hymba Yumba Community Hub. This independent Indigenous school is in Springfield.

Working with Police and Health

In 1995, Uncle Albert made history. He became the first senior liaison officer for the Queensland Police Service. This role helps connect the police with the community.

He stopped working full-time at the end of 2001. But he kept helping his community a lot.

In 2006, Uncle Albert helped create the Murri Court in Queensland. This special court helps judges understand cultural issues. He also joined a group that advised the government. This group focused on education for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students.

He also helped start the Inala Indigenous Health Service. He helped create the Southern Queensland Centre of Excellence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care. Uncle Albert is also one of the people who founded the Inala Family Education Centre.

Books by Uncle Albert

Uncle Albert has written books about his life. His first book, Forcibly Removed, came out in 2001. His second book, Murri on a Mission - Gunnan Gunnan, was released in 2015.

In 2017, he wrote a part of a book called Goondeen: Understanding Australia. He shared his story and ideas about Australia. Other people like Everald Compton and Henry Palaszczuk also wrote parts of this book.

Awards and Recognition

Many places and people have honored Uncle Albert.

A housing area in Inala is named after him. It is called Uncle Albert Holt Terraces.

He was named Male Elder of the Year in 2005 at the NAIDOC Awards. In 2007, he received the Premier's Senior Citizen Volunteer Award.

In 2018, he received a special degree called an honorary doctorate. This was from the World Indigenous Nations University. Also, a building at the Hymba Yumba Community Hub school was named in his honor.

In October 2017, Queensland's leader, Annastacia Palaszczuk, announced something exciting. Uncle Albert was chosen to carry the baton for the Queen's Baton Relay. This event happened before the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast.

In 2022, Uncle Albert Holt was named a Queensland Great. This award celebrates people who have done amazing things for Queensland.