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YOUR FREE INDEPENDENT NEWSPAPER
M A RC H , 2 0 21
HOMEGROWN HERO
BY BRIANNAH DEVLIN eet Barbara Ramjan. Changemaker. Advocate. She has lived in the inner west her whole life. She’s a woman who has seen the world change in many ways and evolve into a different world than the one she was born in. Ramjan was nominated as part of Inner West Council’s International Women’s Day Honour Roll of 2019. On the 8th of March, it will be International Women’s Day - a day for celebrating the diversity of women across the globe regardless of their background, economic status, sexuality, age, ability and religion. It is about championing their achievements for their local communities and support networks, as well as for the wider communities. This has been particularly felt over the last year, with women being amongst those who have been hit the hardest by the pandemic, and have been helping society function. The day is about appreciating the value they bring to our lives, but more importantly recognising that they’re a valued member of society, and need to be upheld with equal rights. Ramjan was “surprised and humbled” to be nominated for the award with a diverse group of women. She also could not believe the size of the mural that was painted of her and other nominees, all everyday women who have done extraordinary things in their community, on Lennox Street in Newtown (pictured).
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Barbara Ramjan’s extraordinary life of advocacy
FROM DIVERSE ROOTS
Barbara is one of eight, and grew up in the 50s, with a very “strong mother”, and a jazz musician for a father. The white Australian policy was something that she experienced first hand. Her father is from Fiji, with his family coming from India. “So it was not unusual to have my family facing discrimination and facing things that needed changing and things that needed addressing,” she said.
Because you don’t do it for you, you’re doing [it] because change has to happenn “When he used to do his country tours, he always had to have the piece of paper signed by the undersecretary for that purpose, and for that moment, allowed him to enter the places he was playing.” These experiences growing up have helped shape her today, and her passion for helping others from marginalised groups regardless of their race, ability or sexuality.
TAKING ON THE SYSTEM
She has many accolades and values that are all in need of a mention. Barabra is a 78er, being there in the very thick of when homosexuality was deemed a criminal act. She is also a Children’s Court Advisory Committee Member, Legal Aid Board Member, Guardian ad Litem Courts and Tribunals of NSW, Member of the Guardianship Tribunal and Immigration Review Tribunal. Continued on page 3
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