The Oorala Aboriginal Centre at UNE organises the flag-raising ceremony every year as part of Armidale’s NAIDOC Week celebrations involving the Aboriginal community.

This year’s NAIDOC Week theme focused on “unsung heroes”.

Kerrie-Anne Maunder, outlined the work of Mrs Ryan – her “unsung hero” – as a political activist, community worker, lecturer and campaigner on a wide range of Aboriginal issues including land rights, social equity, and the education and welfare of children.

“Throughout her life she has counselled and helped many people in need,” Ms Maunder said, “including people in jails, foster children who were in distress, and families who were in severe poverty – indigenous and non-indigenous. She has touched so many people’s lives and she’s still around to guide us today.”

Mrs Ryan, 71, has worked and continues to live in Sydney.

“I hope to follow in my grandmother’s footsteps, and I hope I can help to keep closing the gap for the generations to come,” Ms Maunder said.

Lyn Walford, representing the local Aboriginal community, spoke about the highly successful, community-based Aboriginal Rugby League team based in Armidale – the Narwan Eels – as “unsung heroes”.

She invited those at the ceremony to view an exhibition of photographs and memorabilia of the “Eels”.