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Eatock, Pat (1937 - )

Born
14 December 1937
Redcliffe, Queensland, Australia
Occupation
Aboriginal activist, Women's rights activist, Public servant, Film maker and Academic
Alternative Names
  • Anderson, Pat (maiden name)

Summary

In 1972 Pat Eatock became the first Aboriginal to stand for Federal Parliament in the ACT. She participated in the Aboriginal Embassy and Women's Liberation in 1972. In 1973 she became the first non-matriculated mature aged student at the ANU, graduating as a Bachelor of Arts in 1977. In 1975 she attended the 1975 Women in Politics Conference and the International Women's Year World Conference in Mexico City. She has worked as a public servant, university lecturer, and established and managed the Perleeka Aboriginal Television, producing films for community television and training Aboriginal film makers from 1992-96.

Details

Pat Eatock was born at Redcliffe, Queensland on 14 December 1937. Her mother, Elizabeth Stephenson Anderson, was a Scottish immigrant, and her father, Roderick Eatock was of Aboriginal and English descent.

She had a disrupted education due to her father's mental illness and she left school at 14 to work in various factories. At 18 she moved to Sydney and married a cousin, Ron Eatock. They lived in Green Valley and by the time she was 26 she had had two miscarriages and five children, one of which was profoundly disabled.

She began to publicly identify as an Aboriginal in 1957 when she attended a meeting of the Union of Australian Women at which Faith Bandler spoke, but her political activities were limited by her family commitments until 1972, when she attended a FCAATSI land rights conference in Alice Springs with her sixth child.

In 1972 she left her husband and, with her baby, joined the Aboriginal Embassy in Canberra and participated in the protests against its removal. She lived initially in the Canberra headquarters of the Women's Liberation movement. She became the first Aboriginal candidate to stand for Federal parliament in the ACT when she campaigned, unsuccessfully, as an independent in the 1972 elections. Her platform, endorsed by the newly-formed Women's Electoral Lobby, focussed on Aboriginal, women's and children's issues.

In 1973 she enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts degree, becoming the first non-matriculated mature age student at the Australian National University. Majoring in Philosophy and History, she graduated in 1977. In 1975 she was sponsored by the government to attend the Alternative Tribune to the International Women's Year World Conference in Mexico City, and also attend the Women in Politics Conference in Canberra that year.

Her public service career included working as a Project Officer in the Department of Social Security's Aboriginal Unit (1978-81), and in the EEO unit of the NSW Department of TAFE (1987-89). In 1991-92 she lectured in community development at Curtin University, Western Australia. In December 1992 she established Perleeka Aboriginal Television, which she managed until its demise in 1996. Through it she trained Aboriginal film-makers, produced films for community television, and unsuccessfully attempted to open an Aboriginal TV channel. She taught Aboriginal Studies at James Cook University in 1997, and in 1999 undertook a one-year preliminary course with the intention of beginning a Masters degree in history at the University of Queensland

Sources used to compile this entry: Eatock, Pat, 'There's a Snake in My Caravan', in Scutt, Jocelynne A. (ed.), Different Lives, Penguin, Ringwood, 1987, pp. 23-31; Interview with Pat Eatock for the 'Interchange' programme December 21, 1977: a 2XX Radio Station broadcast [sound recording] / interviewer: Biff Ward., 1977, ORAL TRC 547/7-8; National Library of Australia Oral History Collection; Pat Eatock interviewed by Ann-Mari Jordens [sound recording]., ORAL TRC 5465; National Library of Australia Oral History Collection.

Archival resources

National Library of Australia Oral History Collection

  • Interview with Pat Eatock for the 'Interchange' programme December 21, 1977: a 2XX Radio Station broadcast [sound recording] / interviewer: Biff Ward., 1977, ORAL TRC 547/7-8; National Library of Australia Oral History Collection. Details
  • Pat Eatock interviewed by Ann-Mari Jordens [sound recording]., ORAL TRC 5465; National Library of Australia Oral History Collection. Details

Ann-Mari Jordens

Comments

I am so pleased she is sueing Andrew Bolt. I used to work at Warriappendi alternative school in Adelaide, teaching music. It's insulting and repulsive to read his ridiculous comments in our newspapers and on internet everyday. We've got enough problems with ignorance and racism in this country without 'journalists' pouring fuel all over it and inciting hatred. Congratulations! Go for it girl...

Jimbo - 24 September 2010, 10:26 AM EST

So why don't you bother reading wha†he actually said, before dripping your pen in so much posion ?

This is what Bolt said..

I’m not saying any of those I’ve named chose to be Aboriginal for anything but the most heartfelt and honest of reasons. I certainly don’t accuse them of opportunism'

So what is your problem ?

No doubt Pat's extreme Left wing views don't come into this at all ... do they ?

Penny Black - 29 March 2011, 2:29 PM EST

Bolt may be an idiot and be guilty of publishing his offensive point of view for all the world to see, but doesn't he have the right in a democratic country that believes in freedom of speech to do so? Whether you agree with the man or not, isn't it your right to choose what you wish to read and think and not have some higher power choose for you? People's right to freedom of speech is more important than a minority's right to not be offended by the written word. The case against Andrew Bolt is not an attack on his politics or personal views but an attack against our freedom of speech and on Democracy itself. Anyone who thinks otherwise is deluding themselves.

Chris Lay - 28 September 2011, 3:27 PM EST

And now Andrew Bolt has been found "guilty". Of what? In my 60 years, I have met many people, including those who describe themselves as aboriginal. I respect that. But there were two who identified all the extra benefits they get because of claiming technical aboriginality - and they're as white and non-aborigianl in culture as any European. Persuing Andrew Bolt has done nothing but bring a strong focus on so-called aboriginals. Interesting that although monetary damages were sought, none were awarded. I love & respect everyone - until or if they give me cause not to. Ms Eatock et al have given me reason not to.

Barney Reynolds - 29 September 2011, 9:51 AM EST

Pat Eatock is a well repected and loved Aboriginal leader in her own community as well as nationally. She is as Aboriginal as any other Aboriginal person. Andrew Bolt decided she was not Aboriginal and had dedicated her life to the stuggle of her people for personal gain. This was found to be his motive by the courts and he was wrong on both countrs. I would love to see any of authors making negative comment here walk a mile in Pat's shoes. May I suggest you read the judgement carefully, understand why it is not against freedom of speech and then why we all need to be protected from shoddy journalism.

Vich - 30 September 2011, 6:30 PM EST

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