A sad day today as we said farewell to Uncle Rex Sorby.
Uncle Rex was a much-respected Aboriginal Elder and a pillar of solidarity. I first met Uncle Rex more than 30 years ago in the union movement, when we were both defending the rights of workers in Western Sydney.
A champion of our Western Sydney community, Uncle Rex served on the historic Holroyd Council Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consultative Committee and Heritage Committees, playing a pivotal role in Cumberland Council's Schools Reconciliation Day commemorations on Prospect Hill. This annual event commemorates an important moment in Australian history, being the first recorded act of reconciliation between First Nations people and European settlers in 1805.
A committed member of the Australian Labor Party, Uncle Rex was the first Aboriginal person to be elected to the Rail, Tram and Bus Union and served as President of the Labor Party's Guildford West Branch.
Uncle Rex dedicated his life to service, reconciliation and social justice. My condolences go out to his wife, Margaret and all his family and friends.
Uncle Rex, thank you for your life of service to our community. May you rest in peace.
@NSWLabor @AustralianLabor @CumberlandSyd @DrDi4Greystanes @RTBUnion @nswparliament