Tribute Grandmother Jessica Davidson Hampton
Dedicated to the Stolen Generations:
My name is Jason Davidson Hampton, my grandparents and family are among the ‘Stolen Genera-tions’ the Original people who were subjected to the Australian government’s assimilation policies thatwas experienced by many Original people & tribes all over Australia. My Joji’s (grandfather’s) countryis located near the Roper River, Limmen Bight and Mcarthur River region of the Northern Territory,which includes Ngalakarn, Mara and Bundiyarng country – Hampton Family Tree. My Jaja (grand-mother) is from Gurindji country in the direction of Inverway, west of Kalkaringi, a town that was form-ally known as Wave Hill. As a new media artist and researcher, I have developed and dedicated this web page for my Jaja, Jessica Davidson Hampton and to all those children of the Stolen Generations. Aboriginal and Torres
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander viewers are advised that this website contains images and voices of people who are now deceased.
Our story
Documented Nana Jessica story, and these words from her:
My name is Jessica Davidson (Hampton), Aboriginal name is Ningiarlie and my skin name nungarri, I was born at Inverway Cattle Station in 1930 here in the Northern Territory of Australia, my mother Nellie Yedbid Wurranarlie is a full blood Aboriginal women from Inverway – Gurindji Country and my father was a white stockman named Jack Davidson, author of the book titled King of the Dry River.
Jack Davidson - Served in WWI Frontline North Egypt, Cattle Station Stockman and Manager, mustered cattle from Victoria Rivers Downs Cattle Station Northern Territory to Wyndham Western Australia.
Victoria River: One of the longest Rivers in Australia
Our history
When I was 5 years old I visited family at Wavehill, also know as Kalkaringi, the would of been around 1935, I was only a little girl and I used to walk out bush with my family, we walk from Inverway (near Inverway Station) along the Victoria River all the way to Kalkaringi, thats around150km walk in the bush. When we arrived at Wavehill, I was taken by the police and sent to Darwin compound, they took me from my mother and my family because I mixed with white and Aboriginal. I was sent to many different places by the missionaries and after the war I went back to Croker Island. When I turned 16 yrs old I left the mission and went to Darwin government house to work.
Northern Territory Government House
Jessica Hampton - Left Side - Croker Isand NT
Jessica Hampton - Right Side
Jessica Hampton
Northern Territory Gurindji Country
Lily Dunbar, Jason Davidson Hampton, Ruby (Bow-arlie) Inverway and Jessica Davidson Hampton
Billy Duncan, Jessica Davidson Hampton and Ray Duncan
My stepfather Doogle who brought me up also had 4 children to my mother, Doogle is a father of Douglas Duncan (D) Ida Fargarson (RIP), Billy & Ray Duncan (RIP). My mother’s brother is Clyden Jarriarri (RIP). He was recognised as a traditional owner for the Mistake Creek region (Gurindji Country).
Ruby (Bow-Arlie & Jessica Hampton
Northern Territory Map - Stolen Generation Areas
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Jason Davidson Hampton, Jessica Davidson Hampton and John Hampton - Gurindji Freedon Day/ Wavehill, Northern Territory
Gurindji Country Northern Territory
Clyden Jarriarri, Geraldine Hampton, Jessica Davidson Hampton
History
My research on Stolen Generations has taught me that history is not just something we read—it is something we document, protect, and carry forward. My research into documenting the past has shown me that truth, handled with care, holds the power to heal. In our business, we are committed to that same standard: quality work, authentic service, and a belief that every person and every story deserves respect. Join us as we grow and succeed together, honouring the past while building for the future. We're grateful you're here to be part of our story.
Stolen Generations Tribute Memorial Rock
A Brief History
The Stolen Generations Memorial is located within the George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens, on the traditional lands of the Larrakia people . The memorial was officially dedicated on Saturday, 30th July 2005 . It was built by my family in conjunction with the N. T. Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation, with funding provided by the Department of Health & Ageing and support from the Parks & Wildlife Commission for the site .
The memorial stands as a powerful tribute to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families as children. A prominent feature of the memorial is a plaque that bears a deeply moving poem, which speaks of the mothers left with "empty arms" and the children taken from their culture . It also includes an extract from a historic 1992 speech by Prime Minister Paul Keating, where he offered a profound act of recognition: "It was we that did the dispossessing. We took the children from their mothers" . The memorial serves as a permanent place for remembrance, reflection, and a message to future generations to work towards reconciliation, peace, and harmony
Northern Territory Darwin Botanical Gardens
Northern Territory Stolen Generations Tribute - Build by my family - NT Government Funded - Darwin Botanical Gardens
Stolen Generations Missions in the Northern Territory Australia - Darwin Botanical Gardens
Hearts Broken
Mothers left with empty arms
Hearts broken, minds with no calms.
Children without an identity
Taken from their country.
For such was the policy
A strong destructive force.
For the governments command
"Deny them access to culture and land".
Tears fell in empty arms
As they sat in silence
Waiting and hoping in vain
For the child they could not claim
They were the silent victims
Aboriginal mothers of yesterday.
So children of the stolen generation
Remember them today.