Isabel Flick facts for kids

Isabel Ann Flick OAM (1928–16 February 2000) was an important Aboriginal rights activist, social worker, and teacher in Australia. She was a strong leader for her community. She also spoke up for environmental issues in her hometown of Collarenebri, New South Wales.

Isabel's Early Life and Family

Isabel Flick was born in 1928 in Goondiwindi, Queensland. Her father, Mick Flick, was born in the 1890s. He grew up in an Aboriginal community called Miambla. Mick joined the Australian Army in 1914. He was too young, but he lied about his age. Aboriginal people did not have birth certificates then.

Mick fought in World War I on the Western Front. He was injured twice. After the war, he met and married Celia Clevens. Celia grew up in Goondiwindi, Queensland.

Isabel's parents moved to Collarenebri. They lived there for a few years. Mick worked on a farm. Celia worked at their family's station. The police watched them closely. They had to move often to stay together. This was common for Aboriginal families. The government often watched their activities.

Growing Up in Collarenebri

Isabel grew up in an Aboriginal camp. It was on the bank of the Barwon River in Collarenebri. This town was a difficult place. Aboriginal people often faced hostility from non-Aboriginal people.

Isabel's family moved around a lot. They did this to avoid the government's rules. Her parents worried their children might be taken away. Isabel was a shy girl. But she was known for speaking in an encouraging way. When she was 10, she was stopped from going to school. She was even threatened with removal by the Aboriginal Protection Board.

Life at Toomelah Mission

In 1938, Isabel moved to the Toomelah Aboriginal Mission. She went with her cousins, Florrie and Bob. They lived in tin camps. Life there was very controlled. They needed permission for everything. They had to attend Sunday school and church.

The people in charge could correct them. This happened if their house was not tidy. It also happened if they did not act in the right way. Isabel learned to read and write there. She got an education up to about a Year 3 level today. The government wanted Aboriginal children to fit into 'white society'.

Isabel's parents visited her, but not often. Her father could only stay for one hour. She was only allowed one visitor at a time. Isabel began to understand that Aboriginal people had very few rights. She saw her first activist meeting there. In 1942, she returned home to Collarenebri. She wanted to make good changes for her community.

Teenage Years and Discrimination

As a teenager, Isabel became tired of the rudeness. Aboriginal people often faced it in social places. She remembered a time at a Slim Dusty concert. Non-Aboriginal people held their noses as she walked by. She was always careful about what she said. But she knew these things were wrong.

She faced discrimination many times. She was not allowed in certain areas. She could not experience the same things as white people.

Isabel's Adult Life and Activism

By 1950, Isabel's life changed. In 1949, she had a son named Ben. His father was Aud. Isabel also worked on farms. She had shearing contracts arranged by her father. Ben stayed with his grandfather for his first few years. At seven, he started school. Isabel later had five more children with Aud.

Life was still hard for Isabel. The police always watched Aboriginal people. They could check on them at any time. There were also diseases. The government put their whole village in quarantine.

Fighting for Aboriginal Rights

Isabel had experienced racism and lived in different camps. She spent her life wanting more for Aboriginal people. Her first public stand against racism was at a cinema in 1961. This was in Collarenebri.

The 1960s were tough for Aboriginal people. There were not many jobs. But Isabel felt more confident to speak out. She challenged the cinema's seating rules. She said, "our money is as good as anyone else's." Aboriginal people were usually separated in a roped-off area.

Isabel faced segregation everywhere. This included cinemas, education, health, and jobs. Even the law treated them unfairly. Her brave actions are said to have inspired the 1965 Freedom Ride in Australia.

At first, she was shy to talk about racism. But her confidence grew. She became known in politics. She spoke out against how non-Aboriginal people treated Aboriginal people. She also spoke to her own community about justice.

Her son Ben faced racism at school. This made her angry. She became upset when a white teacher hit him with a ruler. This led the school's Parent and Citizens Association to ask for Isabel's help. They worked with her. They asked the Department of Education for better schools. Isabel was not allowed in that school in 1938. Now, she was a spokesperson for it.

The Australian political scene was changing. In 1961, Aboriginal people could vote in national elections. In 1965, a special committee came to Collarenebri. This was after the Freedom Ride. Isabel met politicians. She talked about Aboriginal living conditions. She also spoke about how the police treated them. Henry Denyer encouraged Isabel to speak up. He wanted her to be active in her community. Isabel later spoke about protecting women and children from family violence. This was a big issue in her community.

Moving to Sydney in 1972

Isabel Flick left Collarenebri in 1972. She moved to Sydney. She was worried about her children's education. She felt the schools in Collarenebri were not good enough for older kids. Ben was grown up and played football. Larry was working and wanted to stay in Collarenebri. Isabel hoped the city would help her other children: Tony, Brenda, Amy, and Aub.

When they first moved, they struggled to find a home. They camped with family and friends. Soon, they moved to a house in Annandale.

Isabel worked at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. She felt a sense of freedom in Sydney. It was a new start. Her family did not face as much hostility in the city. This was a relief. In Sydney, she became more involved in Aboriginal activist groups. She joined the Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs. She also worked with South Sydney Community Aid and the Aboriginal Tent Embassy.

In 1977, Isabel's health became worse. She struggled to earn enough money for her family. She resigned from the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. She became a health worker in the Aboriginal Health Unit. This was part of the NSW Department of Health. During this time, she worked more on Aboriginal land rights. She also worked with the Aboriginal Tent Embassy.

Later Life and Legacy

Isabel returned to Collarenebri in 1978. Her Aboriginal community respected her political experience. Even non-Aboriginal people in town recognized her. She was chosen by both groups to be the town's spokesperson. She had many resources and connections from her time in Sydney. This helped her start special projects in her town. She was good at negotiating and working with others.

After returning home, she was with her childhood friend, Ted Thorne. They had always been friends. Segregation was still in Collarenebri. But it was different from when Isabel first lived there. Isabel fought for fairness and equality. She also worked for better housing, health, and education. A big success for Isabel was Aboriginal employment. This meant Aboriginal people could work alongside white people.

Throughout the 1980s, Isabel fought a difficult battle. She worked with her sister, Rose Flick. They protected the carved trees at the Bora Ground site. This was a sacred place for their Aboriginal community.

In 1996, Isabel traveled to Sydney. She taught Aboriginal history at Tranby Aboriginal College. She was on the board of directors there. She also moved from Collarenebri to Gunnedah with Thorne. She continued her activist work, especially with the land council.

In her final years, Isabel became very sick with lung cancer. Her family cared for her. She died on 16 February 2000. Her family received messages of sympathy. These came from important leaders in Australia.

Recognition and Impact

Isabel Flick was known as a powerful speaker. People said she had "many lives." This was because of her many experiences.

For her service to the community, Isabel Ann Flick received the Order of Australia Medal in 1986.

She was honored by Tranby Aboriginal Cooperative College. This was where she had taught. Her community also honored her in 1993. They honored her again after her death.