Housing tribute for elder

Kelly Daniels | 29th June 2009

IN a fitting tribute to one of Inala's most valued indigenous elders, the new Brisbane Housing project on the old high school site will be named after Uncle Albert Holt.

Inala resident Uncle Albert Holt will soon have a housing project named after him.

Photo: Kelly Daniels

IN a fitting tribute to one of Inala's most valued indigenous elders, the new Brisbane Housing project on the old high school site will be named after Uncle Albert Holt.

Receiving the news last week, Uncle Albert said he was humbled and honoured to be acknowledged and recognised in this way.

Uncle Albert said he didn't think it was real when he was told the housing project would be named after him.

“I didn't expect it,” he said.

“It's really something that's a key drive to keep on going and to make a difference to peoples' lives.”

Uncle Albert said he had already had a look around the project which is due to open in a couple of months.

“It's ideal,” he said of the project.

“You look at the structure and people have their own space and privacy.”

Having lived in Inala for more than 40 years, Uncle Albert said he had seen many changes.

“This is the longest we've lived in any community,” he said.

“From the day I first came out here to what it is now, well it's a super suburb.”

State Member for Inala, Annastacia Palaszczuk, requested the housing project be named after Uncle Albert.

“I wrote to Karen Struthers asking for the project to be named after Uncle Albert,” she said.

Ms Palaszczuk said she nominated Uncle Albert because of his contribution to the local community and his focus on education and the opportunities this had brought to young people in the area.

Uncle Albert has worked in education, and has been 'adopted' by a number of local schools.

“I try and inspire children to give it their best shot at school,” he said.

“What I get out of it is the awesome respect students give me.”

With seven children, 27 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren, it is a wonder Uncle Albert has any time for projects other than his family, but the devoted Inala resident said he would continue his work in the community.