Aunty Verna Barker

1956 is when my journey begins. I was born in Bourke NSW not knowing my Mother as she passed away giving me birth. She was 25 years old and was the eldest daughter of 16 children. My Mother was born at Yantabulla Station, 90 miles out of Bourke. I was the youngest of  3 children. I don't have many memories of growing up in Bourke. I do remember a bit of childhood playing in the red dirt of Enngona when I was about 4 years old in my Mother's Country Kunja where my beautiful mother is at rest.

My Dad is a Murriwarri man. His Country is Brewarrina. I still remember my sister and I being taken to Broken Hill Convent Home when I was 5 years old. My Dad picked us up when I was 9 years old and we Settled in  Lightning Ridge. Life never worked out for me there. I ran away and was picked up by Welfare and put into Institutions until I  was 16. Now I am a Mother, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. Life is different now and to reflect on how far I have come and writing these Cubby House Tree poems reminds me of my younger years when I was home in my Mother and Father's Country. That's why trees are so awesome and special in my life.