---

Winnie Narrandjeri Quagliotti
1/12/1931 - 4/8/1988

---

The Aboriginal Housing Board is proud to honor the memory of Winnie Narrandjeri Quagliotti. We know that her spirit is still with us today and continues to lead us down the right path.

Winnie Quagliotti (nee Terrick) was a member of the Wurundjeri tribe, which is one of five language groups of the Kulin Nation and they are the Taungerong, the Bunurong, the Woiwurrung, the Wathaurung and finally the Kurung. The boundary of the Wurundjeri were divided into four localities. The district surrounding the Mount William Stone Ax Quarry near Lancefield to the present site of Melbourne, the western side of Mount Macedon and along the eastern side of the Marybyrnong river to the western region of the Rivers Plenty.

Winnie was very committed to improving the living conditions of Aboriginal people and after she moved from Healesville to Doveton in the late 1960's she joined with other Aboriginal people to form an association to specifically cater to the needs of the Aboriginal community. The association was formed in Dandenong during 1970 and its purpose was to assist families in the region with their housing, employment and welfare needs.

The first aim of this association was to establish an Aboriginal hostel which would alleviate overcrowding in existing homes throughout Dandenong. The hostel was established in Dandenong in 1972.

In 1975 the association, with funding from the then known Department of Aboriginal Affairs, established the Dandenong and District Aboriginal Co-operative, an organisation with its own office space and staff. Winnie was the Chairperson of the Co-operative from 1970 until 1988. During the 1981/1982 year the Co-operative purchased its own property in Stud Road, Dandenong and later in 1986 opened up its own Child Care Centre which was named after Winnie.

In 1985 Winnie brought all the Wurundjeri people together to form the Wurundjeri Tribal Land and Compensation Cultural Heritage Council. Winnie was chosen as the leader of the Council.

Winnie was a director of some five housing societies as well as director of Worawa College, an Aboriginal educational institution and a director of Camp Jungai, a children's camp.

Winnie was elected to the Aboriginal Housing Board of Victoria to represent the Dandenong (later to become known as Westernport) region at its first elections held in February, 1981. Winnie served as Westernport region Board Member from 1981 to 1988 and in 1987 she was elected Chairperson, a position she held with great strength and commitment.

HOME     TOP     NEXT