Hetty Perkins facts for kids
Hetty Perkins (born around 1895 – died 8 December 1979) was an important elder of the Eastern Arrernte people. This is an Aboriginal group from Central Australia. Many of her family members have become famous in different jobs. They have worked in the Northern Territory and other parts of Australia.
Hetty Perkins' Life Story
Hetty was born in Arltunga. This was the first big European settlement in Central Australia. Her father, Burke Perkins, was a white miner from Broken Hill. Her mother, Nellie Errerreke, was an Arrernte woman. Hetty's father worked on the Central Australia Railway. He helped build the train line between Alice Springs and Oodnadatta.
Hetty grew up in Arltunga. When she was 14, she started working at the local hotel. She worked there as a domestic servant. Later, she moved to "The Garden." This was a large farm north-west of Arltunga. In 1913, she had a son named Percy Perkins (later Lake). His father was Robert Harold Lake, who ran the general store. Today, the Percy Lake Truck Parking Bay is named after her son.
Hetty had several children with Jim Turner while living in Arltunga. In 1927, Jim Turner married another woman. He offered Hetty part of the farm, but she said no. In 1928, she left to work at The Bungalow at Jay Creek. She was a supervisor and cook for the children there.
In 1932, The Bungalow moved to the Alice Springs Telegraph Station in Alice Springs. Hetty moved with it. In Alice Springs, she met Martin Connelly. He was a worker from Mount Isa, Queensland. Martin's father was Irish, and his mother was Kalkadoon. Hetty and Martin had two children together. In total, Hetty was a mother to eleven children.
Many of Hetty's children went to Adelaide for school. They attended Anglican schools there. Hetty was known for being a "strict but hard worker." She did her best to give the children the best upbringing she could. She spoke the Eastern Arrernte language very well. She also taught her children about the Arrernte dreaming. Hetty Perkins passed away in Alice Springs on 8 December 1979.
Hetty Perkins' Legacy
Hetty Perkins is remembered in many ways. The Hetti Perkins Home for the Aged is named after her. This home cares for older Indigenous people. It helps those with disabilities and long-term health problems.
Hetty's most famous child was Charlie Perkins. He was a talented soccer player. Later, he became well-known for fighting for Indigenous rights.
Two of Charlie Perkins' children are also famous. Rachel is a screenwriter, who writes for movies and TV. Hetti Perkins is an art curator, who helps organize art exhibitions. Two more of Hetty Perkins' grandchildren also made a mark. Patricia Turner was a CEO of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC). Neville Perkins was a member of parliament in the Northern Territory.
In 2011, there was a plan to rename an election area in the Northern Territory. The area of Araluen was going to be called Perkins, in her honour. However, this idea was later dropped. Her great-granddaughter is the actress Madeleine Madden.
