Jenny Munro

Jenny Munro Aboriginal Land Rights Stalwart and Wiradjuri Elder and Matriarch.
Jenny Munro (nee Coe) has lived on Gadigal Land for over 50 years and has helped shaped the current Blak political landscapes and discourses through her work and dedication to the Redfern/Waterloo community where she has raised her 7 children, 26 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren and counting. Born on Erambie Aboriginal Reserve near Cowra NSW, Jenny’s introduction into the Land Rights Movement started in 1972 at 17, following her siblings Paul and Isobell Coe to the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra with her parents. 

Her first on the job training was with the Aboriginal Medical Service in 1973, later joining the Aboriginal Legal Service in Moree as their Secretary and was a field Officer for them in 1984. 

Jenny was elected Chairperson of the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care (SNAICC) as well as the Chairperson of the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council prominently headlining the campaigned to save the 1938 Day of Mourning site in Elizabeth St Sydney CBD changing the heritage laws in the country of the day to expand on their definitions of Aboriginal Sacred sites protection. 

In 1998 Jenny stood as an Independent in the electoral Division of Sydney and was the Executive Director for Budyari Aboriginal Expo Sydney Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2000 where she did the official Acknowledgement of country at the Opening Ceremony. She has also held Sub Editor positions with the Aboriginal Health Worker Journal and campaigned and coordinated the Circle Sentencing programs for The Redfern Community Justice Group. 

Jenny continued working and volunteering for various Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations, completed her Batchelor of Art and Batchelor of Laws at UNSW degree while raising 7 children. Her home has always been open to those who needed it the most.

Jenny has pursued advocacy in many forms including TV and film making as well featuring on “You can’t Ask That” and “Redfern Now” as nosey neighbour Aunty Jill. She along with 6 local Matriarchs reignited the sacred fire first started by her sister Isobell Coe on the Block in 2014 setting up the Redfern Aboriginal Tent Embassy to reclaim affordable Aboriginal Housing for the Community in the face of gentrification and redevelopment. After more than 400 days occupying the site victory was declared after the Federal Minister Nigel Scullion intervened on the Embassy’s behalf committing $6M of federal funds to ensure 62 Aboriginal Housing Units. 

In 2015 she was awarded the Eddie Mabo National Indigenous Human Rights award for Social Justice and has a mural dedicated to her lifelong work in the Redfern and greater Sydney Community in Haymarket, a portrait of her overlooks Chinatown and Darling Harbour Tumbalong Park and the Chinese Garden of Friendship painted by renowned street artist Matt Adnate.