Episode 5 with Aunty Rose Walker Custodial Care by Ella Noah Bancroft and Kirilly Dawn

Episode 5 of Custodial Care, Kirilly yarns with Bundjalung woman Aunty Rose Walker about her experiences at the Koori Mail Flood Hub. For many months after the devastating February 2022 floods in Lismore, Aunty Rose volunteered in the free op shop area at the Koori Mail Flood Hub. Here she took on the job of organising and distributing the enormous influx of donations sent to the Koori Mail from all over Australia, in order to help the thousands of people who had lost everything. Through her patience, dedication and thoughtful leadership she became known as the Aunty of the Op Shop. In this interview Aunty Rose describes the feeling of wonder and energy that came with this work, the heartfelt care for the whole community, “black, white and brindle” that emanated out of the Koori Mail Flood Hub, and how things feel as though they can really change for the better when people are able to properly connect and care for each other throughout the whole community.