Tunarama Entrant 2009

My Name is Desarae Clements and I am 25 years of age and was born in Darwin.  I moved to Port Lincoln when I was 3 months old with my mum & dad.  I have 3 brothers Ryan, Warren & Larsen & 2 sisters, Whitney & Iris, I am the 2nd eldest child.

My father, Warren Clements is from Broome in Western Australia and is a member of the Bardi people from One Arm Point. My mother, Maraynee Clements is from Port Lincoln and is a member of the Koktha/Mirning people.

Because of my fathers employment we had a great opportunity to grow up and learn and experience different towns, cultures and lifestyles.  I have lived in urban townships, cities, remote and semi remote Aboriginal communities.  Living in One Arm Point, Broome, Derby & Marla Bore has given me great appreciation of my heritage and culture and allowed me to grow as a person and appreciate what I have and where I come from.

I have 3 beautiful sons, Michael 6, Charlie 3 and Stephen 3 months.  My partner Shannon is also from the Bardi tribe and is from the remote Lombarding community in the Kimberleys.

I am currently employed as a Para-Legal by the Port Lincoln Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention Legal Services.  I was encouraged to put my hand up to enter the Tunarama Ambassador Quest for 2009 by my work colleagues.  At first I was a bit hesitant and like most indigenous people shamed to accept the opportunity, but with support from my Uncles, Aunties and friends and cousins, I decided to take the plunge.  I was also greatly supported by my mum who was a Tuna Maid and represented the Port Lincoln Aboriginal Organisation back in 1981l.

By accepting this position I hope to raise funs for my chosen charity Diabetes, and make people more aware of its effects, and how they can treat the sickness.  Diabetes is also known as the silent death amongst the population of Australia and one of the biggest disease and sicknesses in Australia today, especially with the indigenous who die more from diabetes than heart attacks, cancer and road accidents.

With this opportunity I hope it will give me more confidence in myself to develop into a strong person, and to help other young people to break the shame barrier and have a go.

My inspiration in life is my Nana, Iris Burgoyne.  She put her whole life on hold to look after and grow up her mother and many nieces and nephews.  She also inspires me because without an education she had the conviction and courage to write a book about her life.  The Mirning

The other person who inspires me is my little sister Iris who was born with SB.  When she was born we were told that she would be paralysed from the waist down and be brain damaged, but she has beaten all odds and proven doctors wrong showing enormous courage and will power by playing netball, swimming and participating in the Para Olympics talent search in 2006.

My aspiration in life is to be a good mother and role model for my children.

I would like to thank my sponsor PLAHS for this opportunity, my committee and my family.