Josie Agius

Josephine Marjorie Agius (née Warrior; 2 April 1934 – 30 December 2015), known as Aunty Josie, was an Aboriginal Australian health and culture educator and elder in South Australia. A Narungga, Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri, and Ngadjuri woman, Agius became well known for her Welcomes to Country at events and organisations.

Early life and education Josephine Marjorie (or Marjory ) Warrior was born on 2 April 1934 (Note: This is the date given by Josie Agius herself in 2000.) A later publication (after her death) cites her birthdate as 8 February 1934. and sister to Winnie Branson (the eldest), Colin (who died as a teenager after stepping on a nail and not getting adequate treatment (1873–1948). Barney Waria was one of a few last initiated Ngadjuri men, and his stories were documented by anthropologist Ronald Berndt and his wife Catherine Berndt.

Agius grew up in the Narungga culture After a short break, she worked with linguist Rob Amery, who was involved in the revival of the Kaurna language, and started teaching language and culture at different schools. The children called her "Auntie Josie", and she became well known by this moniker. and for her work on reconciliation. In 2000 she said:

Personal life Josie married Freddie Agius. They lived in Mount Gambier, where they had two sons, before moving to Port McDonnell for six years. After that they moved to the Adelaide suburb of Taperoo, where they had a daughter, two more sons, and then another daughter.

In 2009 Agius was inducted into the SA Women's Honour Roll.

On 1 May 2016, Agius' name was added to the Port Adelaide Workers' Memorial. in honour of her being a "good unionist", and working for better working conditions for ordinary people.

In 2017, the City of Adelaide named Park 22, one of the Adelaide Park Lands parks, Josie Agius Park/Wikaparntu Wirra in her honour, as she was a strong supporter of girls' netball. Wikaparntu Wirra is a newly constructed Kaurna word meaning "netball park".

On 15 February 2021, the City of Port Adelaide Enfield officially renamed Taperoo Reserve, home of the Port Adelaide Soccer Club, to Ngarrpadla (Nar-pud-lah; meaning "Auntie" in Kaurna ) Josie Agius Reserve.

Death and legacy Agius, by then regarded as senior elder, Hieu Van Le, the Governor of South Australia, and Kyam Maher, SA Aboriginal Affairs Minister. She was remembered for her commitment and work as an educator, for being one of the earliest Aboriginal health workers in the state, as a sought-after cultural consultant, as well as for her sense of humour.

The Aunty Josie Agius Award is an award given to an Aboriginal employee or team working in any role in the South Australian Department for Education.

The Aunty Josie Agius Youth Achievement Award is given by the City of Port Adelaide Enfield as part of the annual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards.

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