Vale Pat Buckskin

It is an honour and privilege to write about the life of Pat Buckskin. She made an outstanding contribution to Aboriginal Education in her community, across the state, and nationally. She was a dedicated unionist all of her working life, a passionate supporter of public education, and a strong advocate for her people.

Pat’s involvement in Aboriginal education started in 1972, when she undertook a traineeship and was appointed to Mansfield Park Primary School as the school’s first Aboriginal Teacher Aide. In 1977 Aboriginal Home School Visitor positions were introduced by the SA Education Department and Pat was appointed to one of these positions. In 1987, following the formation of the then Education Department’s Aboriginal Education Unit, Pat was appointed as the first State Manager of Aboriginal Education Workers - a position she held until her retirement in 2009.

I first met Pat at the Black Ball in 1980. She and Lesley Wanganeen approached John Gregory, the President of the teacher’s union at the time, and me to challenge us on what the union was doing for Aboriginal Teacher Aides. At the time, they were non-unionised, award free, employed on a casual basis, had no entitlements, and lacked a career structure, professional development opportunities and common job descriptions.

Pat’s work and consultation resulted in the title ‘Aboriginal Education Worker’ being used for the first time in Australia to reflect the work that was being done. She went on to be instrumental in developing the first Aboriginal Education

Workers’ Award, overcoming blatant institutional racism throughout the long process. Nevertheless, Pat’s strength, resilience and composure always shone through.

Pat was central to the opening of South Australia’s first state urban Aboriginal School, Kaurna Plains Aboriginal School. At the time, some Aboriginal voices pushed for an independent school, but Pat remained adamant that the school must be public. Pat worked with us at the union to arrange for the publication of the prospectus for Aboriginal parents and supported the building of the school at the public works hearings.

Pat worked closely with the union throughout her career, developing our first Aboriginal Education Policy in the 1980s, assisting us in negotiations with the government for Aboriginal Education Teachers to be employed in schools, and guiding us on culturally appropriate programs for teachers newly appointed to Aboriginal Schools.

In 2009, Pat was a worthy recipient of life membership of the AEU.

She has left a lasting legacy. All her life Pat’s efforts, commitment, and championing of Aboriginal Education Workers and Aboriginal education have served as a catalyst for those in positions of influence and authority to recognise and support the need for change.

BILL HIGNETT AEU SA LIFE MEMBER