Posthumous accolade for tireless advocate

JAMES Remedio is remembered by his daughter Teresa Remedio as a straight talker who “wasn’t scared of speaking truth to people in power.”

“He was a big Islander but he had this quiet voice – that would sometimes disconcert people,” she said.

“When he did speak, people listened, he just had this presence.”

Locally Mr Remedio worked as the first cultural officer of the Dja Dja Wurrung Association, eventually becoming its manager.

He also worked extensively in the broadcasting industry throughout the country, including Queensland Remote Aboriginal Media, First Australians Media Enterprises, 3KND Melbourne, Central Australian Aboriginal Media Association, Yamatji Media, Radio Larrakia Darwin and 3CCC Bendigo.

As well as contributing to a long list of professional associations and holding many directorships over the years, Mr Remedio was awarded a centenary medal in 2001 and was placed on the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll in 2019.

In 2022 he received the Michael Law Award in Brilliance and Excellence from the Community Broadcasting Australia Association.

Significantly, Mr Remedio was also involved in the repatriation and reburial in Victoria of Aboriginal remains held by British and European museums during the 90s.

This King’s Birthday, Mr Remedio has been posthumously named an Officer of the Order of Australia for distinguished service to the First Nations broadcast media industry, and to the Indigenous community of Australia.

Speaking about her father’s accomplishments, Ms Remedio said they’re endless.

“He worked really hard until he was 79. He just wouldn’t retire,” she said. “He had a long life and he did a lot of stuff.

“Dad was a real advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“He’d often take a humorous approach to hold up a mirror to people, to get (them) to reflect on why they think the way they do and question where they’re getting their information from.

“He was at the leading edge of that self reflective practice that we tend to take for granted now.

“He thought that by appealing to people’s hearts and minds he’d have more chance of bringing them along.

“I’m very proud. It’s amazing that he’s been recognised.”