AustLit

Ned Cheedy is a Yindjibarndi Elder from the Pilbara of Western Australia who was born at Cheedy out-camp on Hooley Station near Wittenoom. Yindjibarndi Elder Ned Cheedy worked as a Jackaroo on the station and moved to Roebourne so that his children could receive an education from Roebourne Primary. On Australia Day in 2010, Cheedy was awarded the prestigious Caring for Country Award. At 103 years old in 2010, Ned Cheedy has invaluably extensive knowledge of Yindjibarndi culture and history in the Pilbara of Western Australia. During Cheedy's life in Australia he has lived through the First World War and Second World War, early interaction between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, government assimilationist policies, the forced removal of Aboriginal children from their parents, station life, ration camps and citizenship issues. Ned Cheedy is a living treasure and example of Australia's cultural heritage and history.