Help his family lay to rest Roy D Kennedy age 87

Roy David Kennedy, Wiradjuri artist and storyteller, was born in Griffith in 1934, his parents Jessie Kennedy and Archie Bamblett. He was well known across New South Wales, from the Riverina  to La Perouse to Redfern, and lived at Waterloo for many years until his last days. He was loved by many and kept us all connected, constantly getting into his car to check on friends and relatives, from the local rounds to Canberra, Cowra and Hillston, bringing a hearty laugh and reports on each other. He has many generations of family, from the east coast to the west coast, his children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren ever dear to his heart. And then there are the cousins, nieces, nephews and great ones too that he loved.

Always the “Mission Boy”, Roy Kennedy made beautiful art that is his lasting gift. At the Art Gallery of New South Wales he was a celebrity. His etchings are the stories of his days in the 1930s and 40s on the Police Paddock Mission, while his mother was at Warangesda Mission across the Murrumbidgee River, at Darlington Point. It was important to him that life on the mission and the hardships of his people are never forgotten. He knew the names of all the families there and their connections across New South Wales. He "knew them all".

His death by cancer occurred peacefully at the Sacred Heart Hospice, Darlinghurst, 7 August 2021, aged 87. His wish is that his resting place be with his mother Jessie and stepfather Thomas 'Digger' Davis, at Botany cemetery. Our goal is to honour that wish and that all can come together on the day, to pay our respects to a much loved man who will be sorely missed.

All contributions to this fundraiser, and support by sharing this notice, will be sincerely appreciated. The expenses will be managed by Julie Cracknell under instruction by Roy Kennedy and with the guidance of his family. We are hoping for lifted COVID restrictions to make the gathering possible. There will be updates on the date.

Thank you for your support,

Julie Cracknell