When Jessie was five the family left Stuart Island and moved to Bowraville to live at what is now the golf course.

Jessie began school at seven at the convent school at Bowraville.

The education was segregated so even though they could attend school, the opportunities were very different for Aboriginal students.

She told the story of one recess when the children noticed a black car parked by the presbytery. Knowing it was probably the welfare, all the Goori children took off and hid in the long grass.

When the break was over the sister came to call the children back into class but there were none in the playground. She called out and called out, until finally one little black hand appeared out of the long grass. The sister went to find out what was wrong. The children told her they were not coming out while ever that black car was there. For them these visits by black cars were part of life and all the kids knew to fear them. The sister went and told the priest, who then told the Welfare mob they were not to come unannounced and needed to give notice of their visits in future.

When she was about 13 her dad got work at Georges Creek, between Kempsey and Armidale, and the family moved there. This finished her schooling. She helped her mother with their vegetable garden, and learnt how to trap and skin rabbits. She loved Georges Creek and had great memories of swimming, fishing for eel and fresh water perch, catfish and shrimp. Jessie and her brother Noel wandered all over the bush playing in the creeks having a great time.

Jessie's fond memories of Georges Creek stayed with her and she never spoke of her time there without mentioning horses. She rode from Georges Creek to Bellbrook where she stayed with the Kelly household, and it was there she met her great friend Rita Scott. She had many adventures including one time when her horse took fright and bolted. She was able to jump off and didn't get hurt. Her love of horses stayed with her - perhaps that's why she enjoyed her Saturday afternoon punt?

Jessie's first job was domestic work at the Georges Creek Post Office using the horse to get to work. She worked in other domestic positions in Georges Creek, Nambucca, Armidale, and Billinudgel.

At that time sports days were held to raise money for soldiers during the war. People came from all over the district and Jessie, being quite an athlete, joined in. She was about 16 and recalls winning the 100 yards, the long jump and the hop, step and jump.

Her prize was a baking dish for the stove, but at that time they had no stove!

After the heartbreak of Jessie's first beau, Jessie and her mother made the decision to go to Billinudgel, where her brother had found work on a banana plantation. Jessie took up domestic work at the private hospital where she made some dear friends, including the Matron.

Jessie liked to draw and sing. The opportunity arose for her to audition for an Amateur Hour on the wireless but she was devastated when her mother and brother said she could not audition.

Jessie met her future husband Peter Williams at Mullumbimby where he also worked on a banana plantation. She sent for her cousin, Wilga Whaddy, to be bridesmaid at their wedding.

Jessie and Peter lost their first son Lance. Her other sons, Gary Des were born in Mullumbimby where they lived for five years. During this time Jessie's sister-in-law, Ida, who was only eight, came to live with them and she stayed until she was a teenager.

Peter got work on the railway at Kempsey so the family moved to Burnt Bridge for three years. During this time the Mission manager gave you rations and the manager's wife would inspect the homes every day to check if you had made the bed, washed your clothes and the children.

When they moved back from Kempsey, most families had been moved from Stuart Island so the family lived at first, in a tin shack behind Bryant's. Later, they were sent to live in welfare houses on the Bellwood Road Reserve. Jessie lived at Number 5 and soon after gave birth to her first daughter, Della. She lived there for the rest of her life.

After the breakup of her marriage, Jessie's friendship with George Wilson grew. Three more daughters, Beverley, Phillipa and Monica were born. Sadly Monica was not to survive past early childhood.

The return to Nambucca saw Jessie renew her involvement with the Catholic Church and reconnect with relatives, strengthening her connection to her mother's Gumbaynggirr country.

She also travelled overseas, something she wanted to do before she turned 80 ... unfortunately it was only when she got her passport that she realised she had already turned 80!

She went to America and to the Vatican for Mary McKillop's beatification in 2010. She met Pope Benedict when he came to Australia in 2008 ... in fact Jessie met every Pope who came to Australia in her lifetime

Her Uncle Lambert played a significant role in her cultural identity, spirituality and the healing gift that had been passed on to her. Her staunchness as a Gumbaynggirr woman was the basis for her taking up many causes for her community.

Jessie and her sisters, Aunty Rita, Aunty Phoebe and Aunty Vilma fought the State Government for their Island over many decades. Jessie, joined by her friend, Emily Walker later campaigned for the causeway to the Island to be raised to allow the flow of the river. Jessie had a strong dream where her Uncle Lambert walked her down the middle of river. She understood this to mean she had custodianship for the river. The river today is healthier as a result of the successful campaign by Jessie and Emily for the raising of the causeway.

As an Elder she was involved in many organisations. She was a founding board member of Ngambaga Bindarray Girrwaa Elders Corporation. She joined the Elders Choir and always participated in the Elders' Olympics. She was an active member of the Local Aboriginal Land Council and spoke up strongly when the development commenced opposite Bellwood Road. She became a Board Member of Muurrbay Language Centre and was passionate about the revival of the Gumbaynggirr language.

Her grandchildren say: "As a grandmother she ruled with an iron 'switch' and she taught us well. She connected us to our Gumbaynggirr country and culture. As we grew up our relationship with Nan, still the disciplinarian, changed to one filled with joy, laughter, many stories and always much respect."