In memory of Michele Old
Michele was an intensely proud Cook Island Māori Mana Wahine – Woman of strength and power – who gave the biggest and best hugs.
She was the rock and heart of Flat Out for 13 years. Hers was the warm welcoming presence that women encountered when they came to or rang Flat Out. She is a huge loss to the community sector as a whole, and a fantastic example of a worker who came from within the community with lived experience and understanding that made such a difference to everyone who had contact with her.
We have collected some thoughts on her time with at Flat Out – as resource, admin, organiser extraordinaire, everything worker – as well as her earlier time at Essendon Community Legal Centre where she worked for over 10 years.
So greatly loved, she will be sorely missed… Aroha mai, Aroha atu…love received, love returned.
I loved Michele and I reckon we had this extra special bond because we had an extra special understanding of FV Māori ways too… I could feel her Māori culture wash over me in her presence. I felt loved all over even just thinking about her. Mana Wahine! Woman of strength and power!
Aunty Vickie Roach, Proud Yuin woman
God, Michele once said to me that she would never leave Flat Out. I would also say, that when FO employed Michele we got the entire family. I think she loved being able to show her skills and grow. She had a sense of freedom and purpose. Always first in, last to leave. I reckon the second chance that FO gave her was something she mentioned to me a lot.
Michele hated the heater being on, she hated the prison, but she loved the women. Even when she could barely walk, nothing was a problem.
Billi Clarke, Flat Out former skipper
First and foremost, Michele loved her Whanau. Every day she shared stories. Heartfelt and warm stories about her girls and her much loved Gordy.
Her stories would often start with ‘Gordy and my girls’. They would often drop by Flat Out for a quick hello and a hug.
Flat Out will always miss Michele. She was unique. Michele had the best handwriting and kept the best files of anyone at Flat Out. She had a razor sharp memory and always remembered where everything was, when it was bought, if it needs to be serviced and when - and of course whether it was good deal or not. Michele loved a bargain.
A soft purple (and sometimes bright purple glow) surrounded her and gave warmth and assurance to everyone around her, including the women that Flat Out supported.
Not a day would pass and Michele would grab you; often randomly, and usually when you needed it most.
She would wrap her big loving arms around you and squeeze you as if you were the most important and loved person in the world.
We will always remember Michelle as a woman who gave love freely. 💜
Annie Nash FO Former EO.
Michele Old gave the greatest hugs. She wore both the softest and strongest forms of armour – that would hold you whole and strong.
Her voice at the end of a phone line for people in community and women and trans people inside provided strong strings of respect, survival and connection in the very prisons seeking to sever these connections, sever all life.
Whanau, community and culture were and remain central to Michelle’s presence in our lives.
I will always be honoured to share in her staunchness, culture, struggle, humour, dreams and dignity.
I owe her so much for allowing me to capture her beauty and strength in the few photos she allowed me to take. They express so much about Michelle ~ Inside and Out.
Kia Kaha Michelle, Abolition Now ~ Free Palestine
Charandev Singh, activist and photographer
Michele’s warm spirit and dedicated organising are imprinted on Flat Out. She welcomed so many of us into the organisation, and kept the phones and lights on and the doors open for so many years. Her work is still supporting ours and we are so grateful.
Karen Fletcher, Current Flat Out Executive Officer
Michelle was a steadfast presence of love and care for the Flat Out crew and the work of the organisation. Family and community were at the heart of everything she did. She held memories of people’s family close, sent love every birthday for every child, and was so proud of her own beautiful family. Her big heart and kindness impacted all who knew her, and she will be missed.
Phoebe Barton, Former Centre for the Rights of Imprisoned People project worker
Michele was the heart of Flat Out, always ready with a smile and a hug. She remembered everyone's names and never failed to ask about their children, partners or what was going on in their lives. She made sure that we were always well fed at Management collective meetings and strategic planning weekends. It felt like being part of her family, because Flat Out was like family to her. Michele was passionate about her culture, language, women's rights and the Storm footy team. But most of all she was fiercely proud and loving of her family. My thoughts are with Gordy, Ruth, Pania and Kyra as they deal with this loss. Michele, you were one of a kind and won't be forgotten. Much aroha and peace to you.
Liz Shield. Former Flat Out Collective member
Michele never sought the limelight. She did the work. She made things happen through grit and determination. She had a strong sense of what was right and she lived her values. Michele inspired, and will continue to inspire, us all. And her hug was like nothing else in this world.
I am so sorry that Michele has been lost to this world
Pauline Spencer, Magistrate
Michele was born in Wellington, Aotearoa. Her family moved to Broady, where she grew up and she later moved to the Ascot Vale public housing estate. She was involved in the intensely political Ascot Vale public tenants group located at Wingate Avenue Community Centre.
Michele was deeply involved in the lives of her large whanau. This whanau had strong connections with the Healesville mob. Through her Pop, Michele asked if her Māori family could be formally welcomed to Australia and on to Country and be blessed. Permission was given and the whanau were integrated into the Yorta Yorta and Wurundjeri Clans in a ‘a ceremony in her living memory never before performed’ by Elder Geraldine Brooks, as part of a naming ceremony of Michele’s and Gordon’s daughter Pania. They were given the Emu as totem.
Michele’s first paid community job was at Essendon Community Legal Centre (ECLC) in 1989 as the volunteer coordinator/admin person. Wingate was a busy neighbourhood house with a wonderful op-shop run by the over 50s. Michele loved op-shop’s and the legal centre was adorned with many of her purchases. She also had a penchant for stationary.
Michele, brought so much warmth, care and knowledge into the workplace. At ECLC we worked hard and played hard. It was however an affront to not go down the street for lunch or at least to check out what had just landed at the op-shop. We worked together on many campaigns, including Nunca Mas–No More Violence, with the local spanish speaking women, Get Smart, a police rights card for young people, Wring Out Fairlea, Keep Women out of Jika and Stop Private Prisons. Michele was a strong organiser, watching those details, and keeping things under control. She loved organising big events and was thrilled when at the launch of the book of the Domestic Murders Project - Blood on Whose Hands Tiddas agreed to perform. Tiddas had played at many of the Wring Out Fairleas as had Ruby and Archie. She loved that.
Michele was adept at and loved dealing with journalists and media when a campaign was at full throttle. She was a flying fingers typist. Michele brought with her a relaxed vibe – don’t panic – work through it. She always offered and gave support when the workloads overflowed. Strong, vulnerable, joyous, cheeky Michele, a great work buddy .
Michele came to work at Flat Out in 2006 as our admin/resource/everything worker and was never happier than when women came into our offices with their babies. These were immediately placed in Michele‘s arms while she worked. Michele loved sourcing and organising and handing out material aid and loved being involved in all the theatrics of political action, she was a stalwart.
Michelle loved Kai. She also loved political posters and fabrics. Her house is adorned with them.
Michele used Māori language in all her conversations. Her biggest love was whanau. We were all so lucky to have her on our side.
Sabra Lazarus and Amanda George, former ECLC co-workers
