Heather Mieni oral history interview and photograph by Michael Bennett

fonds

21 November 2019

Nonmusical Sound Recordings, Oral Histories, Graphic Materials, Photographs

9650081

4 audio files (2 hrs, 42 min.) - digital, WAV, stereo
1 photograph - digital, TIFF

Heather Mieni (nee Hobson) is a senior Ngemba woman and community leader who was born in Brewarrina, NSW, in 1937, the second of ten children to Percy Hobson and Fanny (nee Williams). Fanny was a Ngiyaampa woman, the daughter of renowned tracker Frank Williams. The Hobson family moved to Bourke when Heather was two years old, where she has remained all her life. She was married to Brian Mieni, a non-Aboriginal man originally from Wollongong, at Bourke in 1957 and together raised seven children.
Heather raised her family whilst living and working on several pastoral stations around Bourke with her husband. A long-time resident of Bourke, heather is a member of the local hospital committee. She was also involved in the Ngemba/Ngiyampaa native title claim which was filed with the Federal Court in 2011. Heather’s brother, Percy, won the gold medal for high jump at the 1962 Empire Games.
Heather’s life history details the issues affecting Aboriginal women living, working and raising a large family in remote areas of NSW, as well as the environmental and financial effects of drought. Heather also provides some insight into the life and work of her grandfather, Frank Williams, a celebrated Aboriginal tracker with the Bourke police.
Reference: Library correspondence file

ITEM 1: Heather Mieni oral history interview with Michael Bennett recorded on 21 November 2019 at Heather’s residence, Meadows Road, Bourke, NSW.

ITEM 2: Photograph of Heather Mieni taken by Michael Bennett on 21 November 2019 at Heather’s residence, Meadows Road, Bourke, NSW.

In copyright:
Copyright holder:: State Library of New South Wales
Please acknowledge:: Mitchell Library, State Library of New South Wales