WARNING: Article contains distressing content.
Aunty Matilda House-Williams prepared a big chicken curry and summer salad for her family on January 26.
For the Ngambri Elder, her family is her purpose.
"I'm the eldest of 10 children. Being the eldest of 10 children is something that stays with you your whole life, because all you want to do is help your family," she said.
Born on Erambie Aboriginal Mission in Cowra, Aunty Matilda was raised by her grandparents at Hollywood Aboriginal Mission in Yass before being institutionalised at Parramatta Girls Home when she was 12 years old.
"When I came out, it was my family that bought me back home," she said.
Back home in Canberra, she worked on farms with her family and had a few unusual hobbies.
"I used to breed and show dogs!" Aunty Matilda said
"They took me to some of the best dog shows in the world - and that was over in England and over in America."
She moved out with her husband and their first son, but due to the housing instability, they began their life as a family unit in a caravan.
Aunty Matilda said it didn't phase her. After living on Aboriginal reserves and missions, she thought she was lucky.
Starting her career in the Department of Aboriginal Affairs in Woden, little did she know what was to come.
She was involved in the Ngambri Local Aboriginal Land Council, Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Medical Service and was one of the original campaigners at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in 1972.
"I have this long term memory, which just goes on and on and on ... what I've done, I loved doing it, and I loved doing it around my family as well," she told NITV.
"They were the ones who bought everything to this community, Aboriginal legal services, Aboriginal medical services, Aboriginal education and consultative group (AECG)."'
Now, in light of her extensive services to Canberra's Aboriginal communities, Dr House-Williams has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia.
She said she was in "disbelief" when she got the call.
"It's been such a long time, and I don't expect for people to know what happened," she laughed.
She said it's an honour she owes to her family.
"Especially my son, who was always there for me since he was a little fellow - only four years old sitting around with me down at the tent embassy."
The award joins an already established list of accolades for the esteemed Elder, including NAIDOC Elder of the Year Award in 2023 and Canberra citizen of the year in 2006.
While she's seen a lot of change, Aunty Matilda is adamant the work is not yet done.
"To this day, government is still not listening. We have some of the worst traumas going on in our lives, young people being sent to jail so young and being locked up," she said.
"Their lives need to be changed, they have to change it because their families need to be looked after. We need to be there for all people that need us."
For Aunty Matilda, the way forward is for mob to come together.
"The only thing we can do is the best we can," she said.
"I want people to come together. If you've got enemies within your community ... get your act together and come together so we can make a better place.
"We won't be here forever and the next generation is still going to be carrying on what I'm talking about now."
Aunty Matilda one of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people recognised in the Australia Day Honour's List.
Olympic gold medallist Cathy Freeman was awarded the Companion of the Order (AC) for her work as an athlete and as an advocate for reconciliation.
NSW Aboriginal Land Council Walgett representative, Anne Dennis, was appointed a member of the Order (AM) for her significant service to NSW's Indigenous community.
Former Indigenous lead for the AFL Tanya Hosch has also been recognised with an appointment as a Member of the Order (AM) for her service to community through social policy and as an advocate for diversity and inclusion.
