When Gamilaroi and Wiradjuri woman Lynette Riley wanted to attend public school in her hometown of Dubbo, her family had to apply for a Certificate of Exemption.
To get a , Aboriginal people had to prove they were 'assimilated' into Australian society and not embrace and learn about culture or ‘associate’ with un-exempted Aboriginal people.
“This meant we were exempt from being Aboriginal. Once you had one, you weren’t allowed to contact other Aboriginal people, but you could get a job and your kids could go to school,” Professor Riley said.
Professor Riley experienced many hardships and racism during her schooling journey, but it didn't stop her from becoming the first in her family to finish high school and attend university.
“In high school, I was the only Aboriginal kid in the senior years," she said.
I topped the class in one of the tests, and some students said I must have cheated. I never topped the class again. I did very well in the HSC, but I did it quietly.
Lynette in her first year in high school in 1969.
"I thought, 'You’re not stopping me'.
"I’m one of those people who, if you tell me I can’t do it, I bloody will," she said.
After finishing high school, Professor Riley studied to become a teacher at Armidale teachers college.
She then went on to establish the and Aboriginal Studies at the University of New England in the 1980s and worked as state director for Aboriginal education for a few years in the NSW Department of Education.
Professor Riley then began working at the University of Sydney, where she has spent the past 18 years in the world of academia.
'Dad wanted more for us kids'
After years of hard work and leading the way in education, Professor Riley, chair of Aboriginal Education and Indigenous Studies at Sydney uni, is the first Indigenous academic to be promoted to professor in the School of Education and Social Work.
She says the achievement pays homage to the hard work and sacrifices made by her parents.
“The first thing I thought of was mum and dad. I still get a bit teary because they couldn’t get an education," she said.
“My parents only went to school until Year three. In their era, the government had 'scientific research' to prove that Aboriginal people were incapable of undertaking higher forms of education.
Lynette, with her mother Delma in 1978, graduating from Armidale Teachers College.
Professor Riley can't wait to celebrate the achievement with her community.
“For many Aboriginal people, we’re still making history with firsts.
“In a lot of communities, people are the first to complete school, go to TAFE or university. My community is so excited – they want to throw a mayoral reception for me!”
