Aunty Faye Lynam

Aunty Faye Lynam was a beloved Yorta Yorta Elder. She was a mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and a foster parent. Aunty Faye was known for her sense of humour, strength and dedication to social justice. She spent her life making sure that Aboriginal people's voices were heard. 

As a survivor of the Stolen Generations, Aunty Faye's story is one of profound strength. She was taken from her family at 8 years old. In foster care, she faced deep trauma and neglect. These childhood experiences became a catalyst for her lifelong advocacy and community work. Aunty Faye used her powerful storytelling to share her experiences and raise awareness about the lasting effects of the Stolen Generations. Aunty Faye wanted to ensure that the injustices of the past would never be forgotten. 

Aunty Faye believed, and often repeated to her kids, that people should always tell the truth. Truth-telling is important for members of the Stolen Generations as a part of their healing and search for justice, and this was central to Aunty Faye’s life.  

As part of the Bringing Them Home Oral History project in 2000, Aunty Faye shared her story and attended the Prime Minister’s Apology to the Stolen Generations on 13 February 2008. The Leader of the Opposition’s reply speech quoted from Aunty Faye’s testimony, which was deeply upsetting to her, as she felt it misrepresented her story. She described it as a ‘toxic speech’. Despite this experience, she continued to speak out for survivors of the Stolen Generations nationally. 

For over 30 years, she dedicated herself to improving the lives of Aboriginal people, especially young people. Her advocacy extended far beyond her own story. She advocated for respect and dignity in child protection and youth justice systems, helping young people connect with Elders and culture and to build resilience. She also welcomed many children into her home as a foster parent, offering safety, stability and cultural connection. 

She served on many advisory boards, helping to shape policies that addressed the challenges faced by Aboriginal people. Her advocacy amplified the need for ongoing support for survivors of the Stolen Generations. Aunty Faye's work led to greater awareness of the impact of child removal policies and the need for community-led solutions. 

Aunty Faye went to university after her children were grown up, and she and her daughter Jenny graduated from Monash together in 1992. Aunty Faye used her qualification to get jobs in kindergartens and schools, working her way up in the education system. She always involved her family and community and was passionate about teaching culture in schools. Aunty Faye led by example, showing young people that their heritage was a source of strength and pride. 

Her efforts to preserve and celebrate Aboriginal culture were especially evident through her work with the Aldara Yenara Aboriginal Corporation. Recognising the profound impact of disconnection from culture, she pioneered the development of cultural camps for young people.  These camps offered immersion in Yorta Yorta culture. They provided a safe space for healing and connection to culture. Participants learned traditional activities such as bush tucker preparation, weaving and storytelling to learn about Country and strengthen their identity. Elders played a key role in guiding the young people, fostering pride and belonging. 

In 2023, the Aldara Yenara Aboriginal Corporation opened the Aunty Faye Community Hub in Kyabram, in honour of her work and legacy. 

As part of her efforts, Aunty Faye helped to build awareness of the need for cultural connection in family support and legal systems. Aunty Faye's work has had a lasting impact on including culturally responsive care in support services across Victoria. She strongly advocated for culturally appropriate youth justice reforms and the development of mental health services for Aboriginal people. 

She believed in educating the broader Victorian community about the history and resilience of Aboriginal people. Through her speeches, especially on Sorry Day, she helped bridge the gap between First Nations Australians and non-First Nations Australians, fostering reconciliation and support for First Peoples’ rights. 

Her legacy is defined by her strength and love for her community. Her advocacy led to tangible improvements in the lives of Aboriginal people, from recognition of the Stolen Generations to the development of culturally empowering services. Her impact is reflected in the lives of the young people she mentored. Aunty Faye's family and community carry forward her values of resilience, cultural pride and social justice. 

Through her leadership, Aunty Faye has helped make sure that future generations will be connected to their heritage. She inspired many people to embrace their identity and be proud of who they are. Her life was a testament to the strength of Aboriginal survival and Aunty Faye is remembered in the hearts of everyone she loved and cared for. Her legacy lives on in the fight for justice.