My name is Valerie Ardler a Dharawal woman from La Perouse born to parents Albert Ardler and Iris May Ardler (nee Longbottom). My maternal grandparents were Maria Wellington and William Longbottom and paternal grandparents Gottlieb Frederick Ardler and Angelina Timbery whose mother was Queen Emma Timbery.

My family lived at Wreck Bay on the south coast of NSW where my father was a local fisherman and re-located to La Perouse when the fishing dried up and he had to look elsewhere for employment. I was approximately 5 years old.

I grew up on the Reserve or Mission at La Perouse with my family, extended family and friends. We used to all play together like one big happy family.

I attended La Perouse Public School and then went to school at Daceyville for secondary studies before leaving to gain employment from the age of approximately 15. I worked in several general hand positions until I had to leave to take care of my elderly parents and later on siblings with failing health problems. Whilst in the role of carer I subsidised my income by working for the Aboriginal Lands Trust collecting rents from tenants on the ‘Mission’.

Socially I was involved with the Rosellas Vigaro club volunteering as treasurer and time keeper/scorer.