Uncle Greg was born in 1949 and grew up in La Perouse on an Aboriginal Reserve where the Elders gave him his education and values for life. He was a proud Elder of the Gundungurra (Water Dragon Lizard People) of the Blue Mountains and the Gadigal (Whale People) of the Dharug Nation.
Uncle Greg was a community leader, activist for reconciliation, wood carver, artist, storyteller and cultural educator. He worked closely with young people from children in juvenile justice at Cobham Youth Justice Centre through to being an Elder at Western Sydney University to support Aboriginal students and academics.
Uncle Greg said: “We as elders are out there trying to turn people’s lives around by knocking down barriers and building bridges.”
Uncle Greg used every opportunity to foster understanding of Aboriginal culture and that harmony only occurs with open minds and hearts in life’s journey of mutual respect.
Uncle Greg when talking about reconciliation famously coined the phrase that “a piano sounds best when the black and white keys play together.”
Uncle Greg is survived by his two children, five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.