Episode 5: Pattie Lettice

Today you’re going to hear from Pattie Lettice.

But first a little back story… I was born in Moree and grew up on the North West Slopes and Plains of NSW. My mum’s family is from Mungindi on the NSW QLD border and I’ve always said that’s the centre of my soul. I had to go away for high school and uni and was homesick for the North West for 13 years. I knew if I became a teacher that I would get a job at Moree or Mungindi - that was the dream. I’ve always had a real connection to that country. Towards the end of my degree however I met my now husband in Narrabri and that is where I ended up. I love it here and loved talking about our western towns with Pattie for this podcast such as Walgett, Lightning Ridge and Brewarrina.

10 years ago I moved back to Narrabri to do my internship at Narrabri Public School under Craig Jollow and this is where I met Pattie Lettice, our AEO or Aboriginal Education Officer. I took an instant liking to her and have always enjoyed hearing parts of her story. I’ve taught at nine schools in our district and have learnt that Pattie is an absolute stand out in the way that she conducts herself, her inclusive attitude and passion for reigniting her culture with our kids. We share a passion for teaching children and she continues to inspire me to love all children, despite their background, home life or what we might perceive to be their limited potential. Pattie is a living example that no matter where you come from or what you go through, if you set yourself a goal and work hard, you can achieve it.

Pattie is a very proud Gamilaraay woman, married to her husband Noel, of 34 years and mother to too many children to count. In December of 2016 Pattie and Noel lost their only daughter Kia to cancer at age 22. Obviously that was a devastating loss for their family and I love seeing how they continue to honour Kia’s memory and carry her with them wherever they go.

Our own daughter Bridie started kindergarten at Narrabri Public School this year. Like many families, we’ve missed watching her in her first year of school as we’d imagined. To celebrate NAIDOC week this year, Pattie taught all kindergarten children an Acknowledgement of Country song in language. It was filmed and shared on social media for families to see. I was very overwhelmed by this, here was our daughter who doesn’t identify as being Aboriginal but being included in this cultural opportunity which represented to me that we are moving forward. Pattie makes me more proud to be Australian and also a part of our wonderful Narrabri Shire community.

If you’re looking for a resilient, Australian woman from this bush, look no further than Pattie Lettice.