FROM THE ARCHIVES | CAN.ORG
2 min
Our Home is Our Castle
Uncle Albert McNamara
Some people say their home cost them an arm and a leg.
Albert and his wife Irene's house cost them a finger. Literally.
Uncle Albert and Aunty Irene McNamara have been married for sixty years and for a good part of it, they've lived in the same house in Perth's southern suburbs.
It's their pride and joy.
Albert and Irene joke that it's the only home they've ever had and the only one they ever want.
They were the first in their family to buy and build their own home, something they're incredibly proud of.
Uncle Albert particularly loves his shed, complete with a cheeky sign hanging over the entry stating it's a registered Aboriginal Heritage Site.
It's been home to their seven children, and so many grannies they've lost count. It's full of love and memories.
So how did a lost finger earn them a house?
When Uncle Albert left school, he took on an apprenticeship as a wood machinist and cabinet maker.
He says he was the only blackfella at the woodworking company and often experienced racism, but he was determined to stick with it.
It eventually paid off. As well as finishing his apprenticeship, he was also promoted to foreman.
"And then I had 18 blokes under me... from every other country and I was still the only blackfella there."
One day he was working with a shaper on a pine board and he hit a knot. He knew he'd injured himself badly. He grabbed hold of his hand and told the boss he needed to go to the doctor.
"When he had a look at my finger and all the congealed blood, he nearly passed out. And, because he was a wadjella, you could see him changing colours... he went from white, to green to pink... and they call us coloured!"
Albert ended up losing part of his ring finger. The compensation he received went towards a deposit on their house.
The home has had many extensions and renovations over the years – mostly done by their children, who have followed his example and all have trades.
Albert and Irene were just teenagers when they met. They both worked at the markets in West Perth.
"Irene used to work in the meat section. It was called Globe Meats, and I used to work in the spud section."
A mutual friend introduced them, thinking they might like to meet because they were both Aboriginal.
They started dating and never looked back. Together they've been active in supporting the community.
A respected Elder, Uncle Albert sits on many advisory committees, including for the cities of Perth, Fremantle and Armadale. He was also part of the national group selected to inform the Australian Government's Indigenous Voice Co-design Process.
"If you want things in life, get off your butt and work for it. Don't sit there with your hand out because you won't get nothing. We worked for what we wanted... and now we've got everything. We've got our house, our cars, a caravan, and a boat. We made it."
Together they not only built their castle, they built their legacy.
Written by Michelle White
Produced by Community Arts Network during the Ngaluk Waangkiny project.
can.org.au/ngaluk-waangkiny
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