My School Housemother, Sue Trevor by Elyne Tighe

My School Housemother, Sue Trevor

Elyne Tighe | Year 12

Everyone has a journey, each different, and each special. I interviewed my housemother, Sue Trevor, better known as Aunty Sue, and together we explored her unique cultural journey. Aunty Sue has been a very empathetic, helpful, and supportive house mum who holds a special place in the hearts of many St Margaret’s boarding students. The contributions to the wider Indigenous community she has made embody a journey well worth exploring. After school, Aunty Sue knew, as an Indigenous woman, to make her family proud she would have to support herself and work hard. She was first employed at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service where she worked in an administrative role; however, she felt she was not doing enough for those around her. In her spare time, she volunteered to help homeless people through the organisation Rosies. It was here she first established how valuable her help was through offering access to the necessities as well as mental health support to those who needed it most.

Once realising the potential she had to make a difference in the lives of others, Aunty Sue wished to direct her focus back to the Indigenous community. She began a new stage of her journey by working within public schools in teacher support roles and community education counsellor positions. In this phase of her journey, she liaised with families of Indigenous students to ensure that they were receiving the best support from their families as they could. Her ongoing communication with school families was felt widely throughout the school community as Aunty Sue also cooked meals for students to take home and eat with their families throughout the week. Embedded into her role within the Queensland education system, Aunty Sue believed there was still more she could do to continue the knowledge of Indigenous culture and heritage. During her time in Education Queensland, as well as volunteering at Rosies - Friends on the Street, she coordinated a dance group, which performed in the local community and other schools, and cooked meals for the school chaplain for local primary school families. She also volunteered as a part of the Wynnum working party on their NAIDOC committee, immersing cultural activities and celebrations into her community throughout NAIDOC week. The most recent stage of Aunty Sue’s journey involves her becoming a housemother here at St Margaret’s. She plays a valuable role in not only our lives, but also the lives of her three children. Aunty Sue is passionate about supporting us in any way she can and is always encouraging us to do everything to the best of our ability. When asked the question ‘What are your hopes and dreams for the future of First Nations young people?’, Aunty Sue replied: ‘I hope that they, too, will have hopes and dreams for a better future, creating their own opportunities, and maintaining a close connection to their identity, culture, and community.’ Through her vast understanding of the lives of young Indigenous Australia, she believes in our young people and is hopeful and confident about their future.

Aunty Sue’s inspiring nature is one that is admired by many. Her journey is full of commitment, enthusiasm, and passion, and certainly proves that everyone’s journey is both different and special.