Uncle Scotty has been contributing to the local Byron Shire community for the last 40 years and now he needs a helping hand because he is facing one of his biggest challenges, he needs a double lung transplant. A bingo fundraiser is being run to help raise money for Scotty’s medical treatment on August 9 at Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club and a GoFundMe page have been started.
Uncle Scotty is an Aboriginal Elder from Wiradjuri Country who has lived with his wife Terese and their family in Mullumbimby for the last 35 years. They have raised seven boys and have done high needs fostering for aboriginal children over the last 20 years.
There is no shortage of how Scotty has contributed to the local community over the years he has been here. Scott has worked at Mullumbimby Highschool since 2006, as an Aboriginal Education Officer and also working with special education. Over this time he has co-ordinated the Deadly Dancers and Muggi Jarjums, which include aboriginal students from Mullum High and the surrounding primary schools to develop their interest in the culture, traditions, and lore of the Bundjalung Nation.
Uncle Scotty has won many Byron Shire awards including Aboriginal Educator of the year and Community Leader and Scotty also won an Educational Award for Mullumbimby High for the programs he ran at local schools.
Uncle Scotty has also volunteered for the Mullumbimby community, painting and attending events in the local community – take a look at his and his students work on the pole outside the Mullumbimby Newsagents. He has spent decades sharing his wisdom, advocating for students, and empowering local aboriginal youth through identity and education and has had a lasting impact on all that know him. Uncle Scotty played for the Brunswick Valley Soccer team for 11 years, played Oz-tag in Mullumbimby and also coached the Brunswick Valley U14 AFL to victory.
Double lung transplant
Scott was diagnosed with a respiratory illness in 2021, which has progressed to pulmonary fibrosis in 2024, which is a terminal disease. Scott needs constant pulmonary rehabilitation to keep him well enough to have a transplant and needs regular visits to Brisbane to meet with the transplant team. At the moment his lung capacity is at 40 per cent.
Scott’s treatment is taking place at Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane. This treatment will take Scott away from his family, community and he and his family will face significant financial pressure as Scott was the main income earner in this family and is no longer able to work. He will need a full-time carer soon which means his wife Terese will no longer be able to work either.
The fundraisers are to support Scott and his family to travel to Brisbane and then to relocate to Brisbane following the transplant as well as meet ongoing medical expenses and living costs.
Bingo fundraiser
Ellen Briggs is MCing the Bingo fundraiser on 9 August at 7pm for a 7.30pm start at the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club. You can book a table to support Scott and his family or donate to the GoFundMe page.
Your donation will give Uncle and his family the chance to breathe a bit easier, concentrate on getting better and returning to aboriginal education, guiding, and inspiring the next generation of local Aboriginal students.
To book a table call the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club on 6684 2533.
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