Left to right: Dame Quentin Bryce, Catherine Watson, the late Sam Watson, Beverley Johnson and Flo Watson attending a community event in Brisbane.
As Link-Up (Qld) celebrates its 40th anniversary, Aunty Beverley Johnson reflects on the early days…
In 1984, Aunty Beverley Johnson became the first coordinator of Link-Up (Qld), marking the beginning of a profound journey that would change the lives of countless Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families. Reflecting on the moment she was offered the role, Aunty Beverley recalls her initial reaction: “I said, excuse my ignorance, but what is it?” Her response was understandable—there had never been an organisation like Link-Up before, one specifically dedicated to reuniting members of the Stolen Generations with their families. The responsibility ahead was immense, but it was a challenge she embraced wholeheartedly. As she reflects today, she says, “It was worth it. It was really worth it.”
Aunty Beverley’s path to coordinating Link-Up (Qld) was not an easy one. After two-weeks training with the Canberra-based Link-Up group, she returned to Brisbane with no funding and no team, but a clear mission. She began by distributing pamphlets to local Aboriginal communities, raising awareness about the service. Soon, calls began flooding in from families desperate to reconnect with their loved ones.
Working alone, with minimal financial support, Aunty Beverley often turned to local churches and community groups to help fund the reunifications. Despite the lack of resources, Aunty Beverley persisted, driven by the gratitude of the families she helped. “People were so grateful that this service had started,” she says, though the demands were overwhelming. “I said, we need more people to help.” Eventually, with the support of Link-Up NSW, she travelled back to Canberra to secure funding, a milestone that allowed her to expand the team and the services offered.
For Aunty Beverley, the impact of Link-Up (Qld) goes beyond family reunifications. She believes that finding family and understanding one’s heritage is crucial to healing. “The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that Link-Up assist know they belong to someone,” she explains. “And the need to belong somewhere is an important part of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander society.” This became especially clear when clients asked her if she was part of the Stolen Generations. She would tell them she was fortunate to have five generations of family still living, which often moved her to tears, realising how many of them had no one. “They don’t have anybody,” she recalls emotionally. “I was meant to have this job.”
Left: Aunty Beverley Johnson (left) with five generations of her family. Right: Aunty Beverley (second from left) at the Thompson family reunion in 1987.
When asked to describe Link-Up (Qld) in one word, Aunty Beverley doesn’t hesitate: “Family.” It’s a fitting tribute to the organisation she helped build from the ground up, an organisation that continues to play a vital role in healing the wounds of separation. In 2024, as Link-Up (Qld) celebrates its 40th year, Aunty Beverley remains a cherished figure within the community, staying connected with staff and clients alike. As our organisation prepares for its 40th Anniversary Gala at Brisbane City Hall on 28 November, Aunty Beverley reflects on her legacy with a deep sense of pride:
“I look back at what we accomplished and the lives we’ve touched… It was all worth it.”
