John Gorrie (elder) facts for kids

John Anthony Gorrie (born on March 10, 1950) is a very important Aboriginal Australian person. He was the first Aboriginal Australian to receive the Public Service Medal in 2005. This medal is a special award given to people who do excellent work for the public in Australia. John Gorrie has worked hard to help Aboriginal communities and improve their connections with government services.

About John Gorrie

John Gorrie is known for his dedication to helping Indigenous Australians. He has spent many years working to make sure Aboriginal people are treated fairly and have access to the support they need.

His Early Life

John Anthony Gorrie was born on March 10, 1950. His mother, Linda, was a Gunaikurnai woman. When he was very young, he was placed in a children's home in Melbourne. Later, he was able to return to his mother after she married Carl Turner.

John grew up with his mother at Lake Tyers Mission. This was a special area set aside for Aboriginal people. He remembers his childhood there fondly, enjoying movie nights, playing with friends, and swimming in the lake. However, his mother was often worried about authorities visiting Lake Tyers. She would sometimes hide him when inspectors came.

John is an elder of the Kurnai people, from the Krauatungalung clan. Their traditional lands are in East Gippsland in Victoria.

Working for His Community

In 1991, John Gorrie began working as an Aboriginal liaison and advocacy officer. This means he helped connect Aboriginal people with services and spoke up for their rights. He worked for the Victorian Department of Human Services. When he started, he was the only Indigenous person working there.

John continued his important work at the department for 21 years. He retired at the end of 2011, after many years of service.

Special Recognition

After working for 14 years, especially in helping children, John Gorrie received the Public Service Medal in 2005. He earned this award for his "outstanding public service." He greatly improved the relationship between the Department of Human Services and the Aboriginal community.

Because of his efforts, new programs were created to better support Aboriginal people. Their interactions with the department also became much better. By 2011, the number of Indigenous employees at the department had grown to 20, showing the positive impact of his work.

Life Today

As of 2023, John Gorrie was living in Sale. He still visits Lake Tyers often, as he considers it his "home." His mother and father are buried in the New Cemetery there.

John's daughter is the writer Veronica Gorrie. His grandchild, Nayuka Gorrie, is also a writer, actor, and activist.