B Yunupingu identified as man killed in alleged Nhulunbuy domestic violence incident

Community mourns death of senior Gumatj elder who was allegedly killed in a domestic violence incident. Read the details.

Mr B Yunupingu was heavily involved in Garma Festival. Picture: Melanie Faith Dove

Senior Gumatj elder and member of the famous Yunupingu family, Mr B Yunupingu, died on Friday.

Mr B Yunupingu was hailed by friends and family as a cherished leader for his community, a ceremonial man of high degree and a custodian of sacred knowledge and ceremony.

The Yolngu man died at Royal Darwin Hospital from head injuries sustained in an alleged domestic violence assault near Nhulunbuy on April 19.

As a Gumatj elder, Mr B Yunupingu was a champion for Gumatj self-determination and economic development, most recently through his role in the Commonwealth vs. Yunupingu $700m compensation case which went all the way to the High Court.

Djawa Yunupingu and Mr B Yunupingu outside the High Court in Canberra on March 12. Picture: James Morgan

He and his brother Djawa Yunupingu carried on the work of their late brother Dr G Yunupingu in Canberra, with the High Court dismissing a last-ditch Commonwealth appeal on March 12.

Djawa Yunupingu described his brother as a strong man.

“My brother was a strong and decent man who walked tall in all worlds,” Djawa said.

“Words cannot say how much he will be missed.

“He starts his journey now to be reunited with our fathers, mothers and kin, who wait for him now, on our sacred land.

Mr B Yunupingu was a tireless advocate for his community. Picture: Melanie Faith Dove

“He will be received by our ancestors with great respect and honour.”

Mr B Yunupingu was a director and founding member of the Yothu Yindi Foundation, the organisation that hosts Garma Festival each year.

The foundation’s chief executive Denise Bowden praised Mr B Yunupingu for his contributions to Garma and Yolngu culture.

“He was a gentle soul with a strong presence, and a quiet, dignified demeanour,” she said.

“As a senior ceremonial leader for the Gumatj clan, he has been an intrinsic part of the Garma Festival throughout its history, the master of ceremonies for the nightly bunggul.

Garma Festival, NT. Photo: Melanie Faith Dove

“Despite his many commitments during Garma, he always set aside time to talk to the media about Yolngu customs and the significance of the Gulkula site, ensuring that knowledge could be shared with a national and international audience.”

The Gumatj elder was farewelled by over a hundred of his clansmen and kin who gathered at Royal Darwin Hospital on Thursday for a full traditional ceremony to grant Mr B Yunupingu his final ceremonial rites.

Mr B Yunupingu’s alleged attacker was a 42-year-old family member.

NT police allege Mr B Yunupingu was attacked by this man causing him to fall and hit his head on April 19.

The alleged attacker remains in custody to appear in the Darwin Local Court on June 18, having first faced court on April 24.

Police initially charged him with unlawfully causing serious harm and aggravated assault.

Originally published as B Yunupingu identified as man killed in alleged Nhulunbuy domestic violence incident