Anne Thomas

Anne Wirrimah Thomas (née Morris) was a Biripi woman respected by the local Yuin community on the Far South Coast of NSW. Her life wove together cultural leadership, education and art. She was one of ten children raised in a highly musical family under the guidance of her father, First World War veteran James Henry Morris. Her ancestral connections were to Biripi Country on the North Coast of New South Wales, and she was born in Taree Purfleet hospital. She explained her connection to Country this way: “we became part of this earth. We never professed to own the land. This land owns us. And so we are an ancient race of people still living in this Country.”

Anne worked at Bomaderry Children’s Home in Nowra, looking after the children between the ages of 10-11 years. She was among the earliest co-founders of the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG), alongside Bob Morgan and Linda Burney. That organisation went on to reshape Aboriginal education policy in NSW. Her leadership extended to cultural and women’s business through the Winona Dreaming Camps she held for women and children to learn about culture, identity and collective responsibilities.

A gifted artist, she painted ambidextrously and expressed her love of Country and cultural motifs through her work. For her, art was a vehicle for teaching, sharing and transmitting knowledge with love, respect and generosity.

Anne Wirrimah Thomas is remembered with affection by many. She found joy in giving her time across communities and sharing culture without reservation. Her influence continues through the people she taught, the institutions she helped build, and the cultural legacy she leaves behind.