Ellen Roughsey

I was born in the old hospital which later became the Church. It is now the Library. I grew up in the dormitory but it was horrible and the missionaries were mean and nasty. I went to school and when I was 18 I went and worked as a domestic on a cattle property called Muttaburra near Longreach.

I had my daughter Rosemary while I was working on the station and then brought her back to Mornington Island. I worked as a teacher's aide at the school for many years.

I enjoy painting at the Art Centre with the other artists. We have fun and I enjoy the company. I like to paint all the old time stories I heard as a child. Stories like Squid and Rat, Sea and Rock. I feel proud when I finish a painting.

I also teach Lardil language at the school which I love and I'm also a Church Elder.

Ellen Roughsey

Ellen Roughsey passed away on 16th August 2021