Death of Darug Elder, Aunty Val

Aunty Val was an important figure for all people of the Blue Mountains. She was a kind and generous person and led the Welcome to Country, representing the Darug people, at many events over many years.

Aunty Val was also a holder of important knowledge and history for her community and the broader Blue Mountains community, which she readily shared.

In 2018 she released her memoir, Sharing my Story, which is available in Mountains libraries.

Aunty Val was born in Sydney in September 1938, but moved with her family to Katoomba in 1957, connecting with their extended Darug family already living in the area.

She would live the rest of her life in Katoomba, building a wealth of knowledge about the local area, fondly reflected on in her memoir, and no more so than in the Gully.

Aunty Val was also actively involved in a range of community activities. Of greatest importance was her involvement with her people, the Darug.

Aunty Val was immensely proud to be recognised in her later years as an Elder for her people.

She wrote in her memoir: "I have a lot of memories about being up here, you know. Lots of people can tell you, if you want to know anything about Katoomba you've got to ask Aunty Val."

The mayor, Mark Greenhill, will note Aunty Val's passing at next week's council meeting and has passed on his sympathy and well wishes to Aunty Val's family.

"She was a unique person and our lives are less with her passing," Cr Greenhill said.

Aunty Val was predeceased by her husband, Ted. She was a loving mother and mother-in-law to Garry (deceased), Paul and Lisa, David and Kate, and Darren (also deceased), and grandmother to their children.

A serivce for Aunty Val was held at Leura Memorial Gardens on Monday.