My name is Rhonda Amatto, a proud Yuin woman with a Dharawal birth connection. I was born when my parents Hazel Amatto (nee Stewart) and Russell Amatto lived on the former La Perouse Aboriginal mission. My paternal grandparents were John Amatto and Florence Amatto (nee Burns) and maternal grandparents were Werg Stewart and Evelyn Stewart (nee Brown) who together with my parents all originate from Yuin County and re-located to La Perouse.

When my family moved off the mission they relocated to 12 Elaroo Ave (bordering on the mission) to support my maternal grandfather in helping to raise my mothers’ siblings following the loss of my maternal grandmother. We later moved out of La Perouse but remained in the general vicinity so I was able to maintain a close relationship with my relatives and spent weekends and holidays with family and friends still living at La Perouse.

Growing up in La Perouse gave me a real appreciation of sport and I played numerous competition sports well into my forties.

I left school at an early age and started volunteer work with Aboriginal community organisations as I was interested in Aboriginal Affairs and equality. I then went on to work for State and Federal government departments in the areas of Education, Employment and Training for over 35 years. After gaining valuable knowledge and understanding of Government policies and procedures I was ready to give back to my community. I left Government employment and went back to firstly work with the Aboriginal and Islander Health Worker Journal and then with the La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council where I continue to work which enables me to support and give back to my community.