I was with great sadness that I learnt of the passing of Jennifer Newman. She was a highly respected member of the Cooks River community. She worked as an academic and was a proud of her background as a Wiradjuri woman.
I got to know Jennifer and her partner Barney though our mutual love of the Cooks River Tawny Frogmouths. Jen and Barney lived close to the Cooks River and each season, the local pair of Tawny Frogmouths would choose to nest in a tree very close to the back of their house. I would often come to photograph the birds – especially after their chicks had fledged. If Jennifer or Barney were nearby, they would often take time for a chat.
And later, Jennifer, asked me to do a presentation of my bird photos to the Cooks River Valley Association. This is one of the reasons I have become active in the Cooks River Mudlarks – taking part in their monthly bird surveys. It was very worthwhile becoming involved in the local community.
The Cooks River runs through the area I live in an and it acts as a refuge and right of way for the local wildlife. And it also provides a place of calm and sanity for the people who live nearby.
Jennifer’s funeral was at Gough Whitlam Park, and during the whole ceremony we heard the calls of the local birds.
Jennifer’s coffin, was draped in possum skinned cloaks and gum leaves.
A huge number of people came along to share in the celebration of Jennifer’s life. People spoke about her love for country and her activism in many social and environmental causes.
Michael, one of her former colleagues at UTS, explained to us the Wiradjuri philosophy of “Yindyamara” – to live with honour and respect. I think we could all learn from this.
A friend of Jennifer’s completed this portrait of her recently –
And overlooking the service was, of course, a nesting Tawny Frogmouth. Jennifer would have loved that.
One of the attendees paddling home after the service –
It was a privilege to have known Jennifer. I wish I had known her better and heard her tell her stories. Many of the speakers had suggested her stories were rather special.
Condolences to Barney and her family.