DEATH is part of life for Troy Williamson.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
The former Echuca man has lost several loved ones, including his father.
He has also seen far too many deaths in custody of his indigenous brothers and sisters.
Now, as the Koori Engagement Unit manager at the Coroners Court of Victoria, his primary role is supporting the grieving families of those who have died.
Or “passed”, as Mr Williamson prefers it to be called.
Because, for indigenous people, death is not the end but, in fact, a passing to the Dreamtime.
This is just one of many cultural nuances the Coroners Court will apply when it comes to investigating indigenous deaths, thanks to Mr Williamson.
“As Aboriginal people, we feared for so many people, even in passing we would be disrespected, and we’re doing everything we can to change this,” he said.
As the first indigenous family engagement co-ordinator at a coronial court in Australia, the Yuin man has been working to turn around the cultural insensitivities of the past.
“We are supporting coroners by putting a cultural lens on every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander passing,” he said.
“For us to be able to say to the coroners ‘we would like you to look at this and look through this perspective’ hopefully provides Aboriginal communities with greater support.
“We want to prevent death and if we can allow coroners to look through the cultural lens, I think you can’t put a value on how vital it is.”
The importance of Mr Williamson's role is difficult to overstate.
“It’s a tough question to answer because I don’t want it to sound like I’m pumping my own tires,” he said.
“I look back on my life, and I’m nearly 40 now, and I’ve experienced too much pain through deaths of our community members.
“And not knowing what is happening and not knowing what support there is available is really difficult.”
That’s why supporting families of the deceased is so crucially important to him.
“I’ll do anything I can to support the families — even if that means answering the phone in the early hours of the morning,” he said.
“I go and spend time with the deceased if that’s the family’s wishes. We deliver messages. We conduct ceremony when a loved one goes back home. We create safe passage on the journey home.
“It’s about creating that comfort in a terrible time where there is none.”
His willingness to support people in a time of need comes from his own family values.
“I look back at my father, Jimmy Butler, my grandmother Betty Boyce and my grandfather Bill Williamson and they are three people who drive me,” he said.
“My mum Vicki Williamson always encouraged me to be the best we can. And she has done very well to bring her up two Aboriginal sons.
“This job was for them.”
It comes after 16 years as a public servant with Centrelink, where he was based mainly in Canberra.
Mr Williamson said he had never really thought about his next step until a conversation with a younger family member.
“I had a young fella say to me ‘Uncle, what are you still doing what you’re doing? Is this why you started at Centrelink?’ The answer was no,” he said.
“Working for the government really enabled me to gain a much stronger acknowledgment and understanding of my culture.
“When I saw this position advertised in December 2018, I felt it was right to apply. I felt the opportunity to move into an organisation that only not supports community but influences sectors was a rare one.”
Since his appointment to the position in 2019, his role has changed immensely, as new reforms have come into effect.
While it’s clear just how important this role is for Victoria’s court system, Mr Williamson doesn’t take any credit for what is happening.
He is simply doing his job.
“The work I do is an honour and privilege,” he said.
“Most of all because so many people have gone before me and because of the importance of ensuring we are supporting the community and being culturally competent.
“I’m very fortunate to be in this position.”
More local news
Former Echuca local flies high to document bridge progress