Annie Moysey

Annie "Grannie" Moysey (née Knight;^[1] 1875 - 2 February 1976) was an Aboriginal matriarch. She passed down the traditions of her tribal affiliation and was a revered figure among her people and in Wilcannia.

Moysey was born north of Bourke on the banks of the Warrego River near Fords Bridge.^[1] She was of Gunu descent and raised by her grandmother who taught her to speak Gunu, Margany and Wangkumara.^[1] She also learned traditional lore as a child.^[2] Moysey worked along the Darling River, working at various stations, but most often at Old Toorale and also raised her own children, grandchildren and others.^[1] She taught her grandson and artist, William Badger Bates, how to carve in the kalti paarti style.^[3] During the 1920s, Moysey was forced to take the children she cared for to the Pooncarie Aboriginal Reserve, due to a work shortage.^[2] She stayed outside the reserve in a camp she set up herself and continued to work to care for the children.^[2] On 11 October 1930, she married Leonard Alfred Moysey in Wilcannia.^[2] The couple transferred briefly to Medindee Mission Station, but returned to Wilcannia in 1939.^[2]

Moysey was the last person living in her area who could perform the corroboree in the traditional way.^[1] She was known as Wilcannia's Grandmother and had a great deal of authority among her people.^[4] She kept the tribal laws and people believed that she had mekigar (or Barkindji witch doctor) knowledge.^[2] Moysey died on 2 February 1976, in the Wilcannia and District Hospital.^[2]

• Sound recordings collected by William (Badger) Bates and Sarah Martin, 2008-2010 (describes life with Annie Moysey)