Reunion Story: Margaret Kemp
I was born in Rockhampton in 1955, to parents Jack Kemp and Amelia Kemp/Murray/Sharpley. Growing up I lived in Blackwater, Clermont and Mt Morgan and finished school in Year 9.
I left home to work at St Brendans College in Yeppoon and continued to work there until I started my family of 3 boys and 1 girl. I currently live in Duaringa and am an applicant on the Native Title claim Ghungalu Nation Party.
I first started looking for Mum’s family members around 20 years ago, doing my own research and made some contact with a couple of family members but had never met them in person. I heard about Link-Up (Qld) and in 2018 I started my journey with them. This eventuated in Link-Up (Qld) finding descendants of my Maternal Grandmother Helen Sharpley living in Walgett, NSW. After providing the completed research to me, Link-Up (Qld) then made contact with family members in NSW and a family reunion was arranged.
On the 9th May 2021 my niece Kim Dale and myself excitedly left Emerald airport to meet up with Link-Up (Qld) Counsellor Anne Garrett and Service Delivery Manager Yvette Salam. We flew together to Tamworth the next day and then drove onto Walgett.
I felt overwhelmed that I was finally meeting my Mother’s and Grandmother’s family because growing up I had only known my father’s side. Now I was going to meet my Mum’s family and return my Grandfather’s, Grandmother’s and Mother’s Spirits home to their traditional home lands, and create connections that will last a life time.
Having my reunion to my Mother’s home country has been very emotionally and spiritually healing for me as I got to meet a lot of special people and family and walk on the country that my mother would often speak about.
The places she would mention were Kamilaroi, Namoi River, Angledoon, Lightning Ridge and Walgett.
We were met at Walgett by my cousin Daphne Wallace-Sharpley, who was brought to Walgett from Armidale NSW by Luke and Tania from Link-Up (NSW). I was so glad to finally be able to meet her. Daphne bought along Anna Wallace and it was a delight to meet her too, I will always remember her beautiful smile and laugh. Daphne shared her knowledge, her love and support, and introduced me to many family members.
I was so relieved to meet Bubba (Helen Sharpley) on our final day. Bubba was my first connection to mums family, we made contact almost 20 years ago along with Elizabeth Sharpley who was my mums niece. Unfortunately she passed away a few days before my visit, it was the saddest news to hear.
Daphne also introduced me to Blackeye (Ron) Sharpley and his wife Robyn. Blackeye opened up their home to us and we had a BBQ there and met other family members. It was Blackeye’s birthday and I loved singing Happy Birthday to him. The next day Blackeye led us on a tour of Lightening Ridge and Angledoon and I appreciated his willingness to show us around the areas that my Mum used to speak about. At Lightening Ridge we met Boy and his beautiful daughter, who presented me with a precious Opal.
On our last day Blackeye made a farewell gift of Emu Egg Brownie which was absolutely delicious. We had a little bit of time available before we needed to leave for Tamworth to catch our flight to Brisbane and we were able to meet with members of the Dharriwaa Elders Group and chat with them for a while. Returning home was the saddest part but I was also relieved that I had returned their spirit back to their country.
“I was full of love and light in my heart and that is still there today.” – Link-Up (Qld) client Margaret Kemp
Thank you, Daphne, Anna, Blackeye, Robyn and Boy, for opening up your hearts and knowledge, and to Luke and Tania from Link-Up NSW for bringing Daphne to Walgett to meet me, to Anne and Yvette Link-Up (Qld) for organising my reunion, and for their time and patience. It was a pleasure to have them escort us around safely, and a special thank you to my niece Kim who took time away from her family to help me with this experience and share my journey with me.
Margaret Kemp
Published September 2025.