The Jack Cook Memorial Plaque is finally unveiled during the NAIDOC Day celebration on Saturday June 25 at Billabong Park, after eight years of planning by former Gloucester Shire councillor Jim Henderson.
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This year’s NAIDOC theme of “Storyline: The living narrative of our nation”, was captured in the emotional stories told by Cook family members as they paid tribute to their family legacy.
The plaque explaining the history of the Cook family in Gloucester has been placed on a rock formation in Billabong Park honouring Jack, his wife Jessie (nee Brummy) and their family. The formation is made up of three tall rocks representing three groups of people; Aboriginals, Europeans and migrants after World War II. Resting on top is a large rock in the shape of Australia.
Jack Cook was a well known and respected local Aboriginal Elder who was head stockman for the Australian Agricultural Company in the early 1900s.
He was known as a great stockman, bush tracker, sportsman and being Thunderbolt the bushranger’s horse boy.
Jack and Jessie had eight children, Dave Cook, Jessie Martin, Alfie Cook, Susie Aspinelle, Sarah Landford, Maggie Cook, John Cook and Sid Cook. Each child was represented by an elder at the ceremony. Around 150 family members travelled from around Australia to be a part of the rare reunion, some meeting for the first time.
Colleen Martin, granddaughter of Jessie Martin, said this was a historic family reunion where members were able to share knowledge.
She says the plaque dedication shows what a strong reputation Jack and Jessie had in the Gloucester community.
“This is a strong storyline for Gloucester and the role they played here,” Ms Martin said.
During Mr Henderson’s speech to the crowd he explained the Cook family had a dedicated history to military service and were thought to have one of the largest representations of soldiers from one Aboriginal family.
Jack Cook was born around 1838, was initiated on the Barrington Tops and died on August 7, 1925 at age 87. He is buried in an unmarked grave at Barrington West Road.
The ceremony ended with the planting of a Kurrajong tree representing the trees planted by Jack on his property many years ago.
Other events at the NAIDOC celebration included lessons in traditional basket weaving by Aunty Pam Saunders. Aunty Pam said it’s important to keep the traditions of her people by teaching skills like weaving and language.
There was also a smoking ceremony for the men, performances by Aboriginal dance groups, singing and didgeridoo playing, all enjoyed with some bush tucker.