Stan Grant (Wiradjuri elder)

Grant was born in Cowra. For many years, Grant was an itinerant worker. Some times, he sold fruit and vegetables. He was arrested in the late 1940s after a policeman overheard him calling to his son in Wiradjuri it was forbidden to use Aboriginal languages in public and he was detained overnight in a cell. From that day on, his grandfather refrained from speaking his native language in public. His father on his father's side was Bill Grant, who had lived on Bulgandramine Mission. In 2006 this work was recognised with the Deadly Award of Outstanding Achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education. The Wiradjuri language, culture and heritage course at Charles Sturt University was developed by Grant and, , he still attends the graduation ceremonies of students. ==Personal==

His father was Cecil, who served in the 9th Division in Tobruk. Grant married Betty Cameron, whose family came from Gunnedah Hill, near Coonabarabran. After marrying, they lived in a broken car in the Aboriginal reserve near Griffith. The couple live near Narrandera, at the southern end of Wiradjuri country. Grant Jnr. recalls the family frequently living in modest huts on the outskirts of towns in country NSW, the family frequently moving so Grant senior could find work. In May 2017, the son interviewed his father to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1967 referendum to alter the Constitution of Australia to recognise Aboriginal people. The father discussed how he experienced overt racism as a young man: Yet, he later noted differences in how people treated him: == Publications ==

• Stories Told By My Grandfather and the Other Old Men: a collection of short stories (1999) • Crossing Cultures: experiences of growing up Aboriginal in Wiradjuri country (1999) With Dr John Rudder: • Learning Wiradjuri 1–5 (graded texts) • Learning Wiradjuri 1 & 2 CD • A Teaching Wiradjuri Support CD • Eric Looks for a Friend (PowerPoint book) • Wiradjuri Language Songs for Children • Wiradjuri Language Song Book 2 • CD of Wiradjuri Language Songs • Wiradjuri Language – How it works: A Grammar in Everyday English • Wiradjuri Language A First Dictionary of Wiradjuri • Wiradjuri Sentence Book • Wiradjuri Language Black Line Poster Masters • Wiradjuri Language Black Line Masters – Book 1 (Colouring-in) • Wiradjuri Language Black Line Masters – Book 2 – Learn to Draw • Wiradjuri Language Colouring-in Books 1 and 2 • Wiradjuri Language Learn to Draw Books 1 and 2 • English Language Blackline Poster Masters of Australian Natural Science & People • Unlabelled Blackline Poster Masters of Australian Natural Science & People ==Honours ==

Grant was named a Member of the Order of Australia on 8 June 2009 "for service to Indigenous education and the preservation and promotion of the Wiradjuri language and culture, as a teacher and author, and to youth". He was granted an honorary Doctorate of Letters by Charles Sturt University in December 2013 in recognition of his work with the indigenous communities. The vice-chancellor of CSU, Andrew Vann is quoted as saying "[Grant] has made an outstanding contribution to Charles Sturt University's regions, especially to Indigenous communities ... As an Elder, author and teacher, he has made an outstanding intellectual contribution to our communities. His deep involvement in the introduction of the University's new Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage program in 2014 is a clear demonstration of his work." In the 2022 NAIDOC Awards Grant's work was recognised with the Lifetime Achievement Award. ==See also==