In Their Honour – Stories of Mum, AJ, and Raine
Our Mum
Pictured here with my Uncle/Godfather, Mum was the heart of our home wherever she was from. A single mother raising us up strong in community, in culture, and in love—she did everything she could with what little she had. She fought for us every day, even when the world made it hard for a Blak woman to breathe. Everyone knew her as tough but kind, always helping others, always giving—even when no one showed up for her. When she passed, it felt like the ground was ripped from under us. But she didn’t leave us empty—she left strength, fire, and a deep knowing of who we are. This is her story, and it’s one shared by so many Aunties and single mums doing it tough in the neighbourhoods and communities we are from!
AJ – Our Brother, Our Protector
AJ was the one everyone loved—funny, deadly at footy, loud in the best way. He was the kind of man who’d give you his last bit of tucker and still crack a joke to cheer you up. But like a lot of our men, he carried heavy things—trauma, addiction, the pain of being caged, and the pressure of being strong all the time. After getting out of jail, he went back to a toxic relationship, and within weeks, he was gone. He didn’t get the support he needed. His spirit was strong, but he was tired. He’s more than how he left—he was a father, a son, a brother, a proud Blak man who loved hard and fought hard. This is for him, and all our brothers who never got to heal.
Raine – Our Little Brother, Forever Missed
Raine was our baby brother, cheeky as they come, with a soft heart and deep spirit. He was always drawing, always daydreaming, and he felt everything so deeply. Like a lot of our young fellas, he was trying to find his place—between culture, family, and a world that didn’t make space for him. When he passed at just 19, it broke something in us. He was still finding his feet, and he didn’t get the chance to grow into the man we knew he could’ve been. His story is one too many mob can relate to. This space is for Raine, and for every young Blak soul who didn’t feel seen, who thought they had to carry it all alone.