George Christensen (Dawson, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today I honour the life and contribution of Nolia Ramsamy, great matriarch, a much loved member of the Mackay community, who died on Monday at the age of 103. Nolia, better known as Nanna Ramsamy, has enriched our city with her love of family, her love of culture, her love for her community and her great sense of fun and adventure.

She was born on Prince of Wales Island in the Torres Strait in 1917 and grew up loving fishing, hunting and picture shows. Living off the ocean and mangroves was more than food; it was a celebration of culture and something nanna relished throughout her later years. She came to settle in Mackay in 1943 after her family was evacuated to the mainland during World War II. It was there she met a handsome showman and renowned educator on poisonous snakes, Edward Ramsamy, better known as Ram Chandra the Taipan man.

Nanna never shied away from hard work but had endless fun as her family grew to 12 children—nine of them surviving—42 grandchildren, 100 great grandchildren, 63 great great grandchildren and six great great great grandchildren. Her descendants currently number 223. I am honoured to call some of Nanna's family my very good friends and I join with them in honouring this wonderful woman. Nolia Ramsamy. May she rest in peace.