Aunty Iris Bysouth nee DUTTON,
recognised on the Victorian Aboriginal Honour roll
Aunty Iris belongs to Jimmy Dutton and Lily O’Donnell. She is the granddaughter of George Dutton. Cookie is her brother.
Aunty Iris is a survivor of the Stolen Generations. In the 1960’s, she was taken away on the Harold Blair holiday program and never returned to her family. Instead, Aunty Iris was separated from her siblings and put into a white family.
Aunty Iris has been recognised for dedicating her life to supporting Aboriginal people to reconnect with their identity, Culture and families.
She has worked in many roles for her people. For years now, Aunty Iris has been a part of the Bendigo and District Aboriginal Corporation (BDAC). She is currently a part of the Bringing Them Home program at BDAC.
“It’s emotional work, but it’s powerful. This job, this space, feels like home.”
“At the start, I was ashamed. I didn’t think I was good enough. Now I tell people who come through my office, don’t be ashamed. You can do this. You can be somebody.”
“Even if you’ve experienced trauma or disconnection, you’re still part of us. We’ll find you.”
“Even when I was struggling, I tried to lift someone else up. That’s just who I am.”
Read more at Full digital edition, June 27 – Bendigo Times
This article appeared in Wilcannia News, 8 July 2025.
