A place to reflect: Aunt Lilla Watson celebrated at UQ

By Kirsten O'Leary

Forty-five years after becoming The University of Queensland’s first Aboriginal tutor, Dr Aunt Lilla Watson (Bachelor of Arts ’87) returned for a special naming event of 'Lilla Watson Place' honouring her significant contributions to the University and society.

Raised on Gangulu country Aunt Lilla moved to Brisbane in 1965, during a time of intense national and international scrutiny regarding the living conditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the racism prevalent in Australia. She and her family became actively involved in the emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.

These words from often spoken by Aunt Lilla have resonated with many people seeking ways to pursue social justice. She prefers to credit the ‘Aboriginal Activists’ Group, Queensland, 1970s’ for these words emphasising their collective efforts.

Aunt Lilla began studying at UQ in 1973, receiving her Bachelor of Arts in 1987. In 1979, she became UQ’s first Aboriginal tutor, and later became a lecturer in Aboriginal Welfare studies, pioneering the university’s first courses in this field.

“The support from the social work department was really encouraging,” Aunt Lilla reflected.

Professor Karen Healy AM, Head of UQ’s School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Social Work is among those Aunt Lilla inspired.

“As a young social work student in the 1980s, I was fortunate to be taught by Aunt Lilla,” Professor Healy recalled.

“She was kind and patient, yet firm—qualities essential for those in health and human services to challenge the status quo and confront our professions' histories. Aunt Lilla encouraged us to find pathways to move forward together, embracing the truths of our past and the possibilities of our future.”

During her time at UQ, Aunt Lilla worked on a landmark state-wide research project investigating Aboriginal and Islander Child Welfare in Queensland. The findings significantly influenced policy and were later enshrined in the Child Protection Act 1999.

Aunt Lilla made substantial contributions to academia, authoring key papers on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues and serving as a keynote speaker at several prominent conferences, including the National Conference on Higher Education.

Adjunct Professor Matt Foley, who worked with Aunt Lilla in UQ’s social work department between 1979 and 1983 expressed his admiration.

“It's been one of the greatest honours of my life to know and to learn from Lilla Watson. Her contributions to academia, arts, poetry, social welfare and social reform are profound and ongoing,” Adjunct Professor Foley said.

“I remember students flocking to her lectures and tutorials to get the knowledge and insight analysis that could only come with her knowledge, life experience and way of looking at things, he said.

“Her contribution to the richness of intellectual life reflects also in her contribution to the welfare of thousands of Aboriginal and Islander children who've been impacted by the reform that was introduced as a consequence of her work.”

Aunt Lilla has been an activist for human rights since the 1970s, participating in social change movements including the anti-apartheid Springbok protests.

She has utilised her expertise to foster understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, advancing the wellbeing and rights of Indigenous communities through various programs.

Notably, she co-founded Link-Up Queensland, which works to reunite Stolen Generation children with their families, and BlackCard, an organisation that offers cultural education through workshops and consultancy.

Additionally, Aunt Lilla has served on the Queensland Parole Board, the boards of the Queensland Art Gallery and the State Library, and was an appointed member of the UQ Senate.