BY ASAD KHAN
Trigger Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this article contains the name and image of a person who has passed away.
Family, friends and community members gathered in Roebourne to farewell Lois Mary Olney — a proud Aboriginal, Afghan and Scottish woman, jazz blues singer, and much-loved elder.
Born in Roebourne in 1963, Lois was taken from her mother as a baby, becoming one of the many children affected by the Stolen Generations. Despite this painful beginning, she grew to be a voice of strength and beauty literally and metaphorically using music as her way to reclaim connection and identity.
Former partner John McBain described the significance of laying her to rest alongside her mother and son, Keith.
„This is her special day,“ Mr McBain said.
„There’ll be two lovely things happening. The urn will go with her son Keith — it’ll be like Lois hugging her son again. And when her ashes go with her mother, it’ll be like her mother is hugging her again. She was taken from her mother just after birth. Very sad. But this will be beautiful to see.“
The service brought together people from across the Pilbara and beyond, including her youngest mum Naomi, community leader Lorice Douglas, and long-time friend Moira Finucane.
Ms Finucane remembered Lois as a vibrant, determined and gifted woman.
“Lois was a proud woman of Aboriginal, Afghan and Scottish heritage. She was born in her mother’s country at Roebourne,” she said.
“Her father was a Yamatji man from Meekatharra. She was forcibly removed from her family in 1963. But she was raised with love by the only family, who were led to believe she’d been voluntarily put up for adoption.”
A passionate surfer and athlete in her youth, Lois’s life took a turn when she discovered the music of Billie Holiday.
“She started music at 13. She was taught by someone who had been the musical director of Shirley Bassey. But it was Billie Holiday who changed her life,”
“She began singing in restaurants around Fremantle. She was a lover of life, a lover of music. Lois will always appear in songs across the country.”
Ms Lois had also asked Finucane to become her next of kin and ensure her legacy lived on.
“She wanted to take her voice and her wishes forward. It’s a deep honour of mine to be here today,” Ms Finucane said.
Known for her deeply soulful voice and her generosity of spirit, Lois Olney used music not just to express herself, but to uplift others — especially through her work with Aboriginal communities, youth, and fellow creatives.
She is remembered as a woman of grace, resilience, and enduring love. Now, as her ashes are returned to Country, she is finally home — embraced once again by the mother and son she longed for.
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