Uncle Peter Wilkes was born in Subiaco; he is a Whadjuk Nyoongar on his father’s maternal Grandmother’s side. His Mother is Wongi from Laverton and was from the Stolen Generations. She was taken from her family when she was seven. Uncle Peter grew up running around and playing in the Guildford area and lived at Allawah Grove and Pingelly Reserves. He went to many different schools on Nyoongar boodja in: Guildford, Mukinbudin, Boddington, Pingelly, West Perth, Collie, Armadale, and Narrogin. As a young fella, he played football and loves fishing and playing darts. His working life started with odd jobs in Pingelly when he was only nine or ten. He worked on farms in country towns and has done many other types of work including 10 years for the Commonwealth Department of Education and 17 years with the State Education Department as an Aboriginal and Islander Education Officer at Challis Primary School, which he really enjoyed. He believes that Aboriginal and Islander people should be given the same opportunities and courtesies as all other people and not be disadvantaged because of their identity.
Uncle Peter has been living in Armadale since 1971 with his wife Aunty Sandra and, together, they have three children. At the time this portrait was taken they had six grandchildren and three great grannies. Both are accepted as Elders in their community. Aunty Sandra Wilkes is a Yued Nyoongar yorga (woman) who was born in Three Springs to Harry Shea and Margaret Narrier. Her family moved around from town to town on Yued Nyoongar boodja including five to six years at the Reserve at Moora before moving to Moora town where she attended high school. Aunty Sandra then moved to Perth when she was 16 where she lived in a hostel for girls for about four years and worked as a compositor for a printing company. During that time, she played netball, ice-skated, went shopping and to the movies, and attended dances with some of the other yorgas staying at the hostel. After having her children, she worked as a Librarian at Kelmscott Senior High School for three years and then at the Australian Tax Office in Northbridge for 17 years. She is now happily retired and enjoying being a grandmother and great-grandmother. She is actively involved in supporting her community and attends the Champion Centre in Armadale where she volunteers with Uncle Peter and does arts and crafts. Aunty Sandra enjoys sewing and yarning with the other Elders and meeting and yarning with people who come to the Centre.
Uncle Peter and Aunty Sandra have a long-standing relationship with Richmind WA which began in 2018 through the Looking Forward project. As well as advising and providing mentoring, they regularly yarn with residents and staff at several metropolitan service sites. Their visits have been very beneficial to staff and residents, providing a safe and relaxed space to build connection and support social and emotional welbeing. The portrait recognises their wisdom, knowledge, guidance, and legacy at Richmind WA; truly enabling us to “walk the talk.” Uncle Peter and Aunty Sandra came to Richmind WA five years after we began our journey working with Elders. Both have an amazing warmth and personable approach that instantly draws everyone to them, and they had an immediate impact on staff and clients as they developed relationships across the organisation. The Wilkes have an incredible ability to relate to everyone, and adapt to every setting, from Board meetings to a staff morning tea. This enables them to guide and mentor staff in every role assisting everyone to understanding a Nyoongar world view. The Wilkes have an amazing ability to inspire staff to learn about Aboriginal culture. They do not see this as ‘part of their job’ but rather a human response to two people who are humble, caring and supportive, and who guide, mentor and teach us in nuanced and skilled ways. This is the best example of leadership and the impact the Wilkes have had on Richmind WA is immeasurable and their legacy will live on.
