Graham Dillon: Farewell to beloved Kombumerri Ngarang-Wal Saltwater People elder
In a spiritually moving farewell, loved ones, city leaders and an ex-Prime Minister paid respects to beloved indigenous trailblazer.
Gold Coast
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IN a spiritually moving farewell, loved ones, city leaders and an ex-Prime Minister paid respects to Dr Graham Hamilton Dillon OAM - a Kombumerri tribe “keeper of the flame”.
It was a touching tribute at the funeral on Wednesday for a man deemed a “masterful storyteller”, whose contribution to local indigenous legacy was “enormous”.
To those gathered at the Coomera Anglican College hall, he was a shining pillar of the local community, a “keeper of the flame” for the Kombumerri clan, Ngarang-Wal tribal owners and to Yugumbeh language group of wider south-east Queensland.
In academic circles, he was Dr Dillon, elder in residence at Griffith University. But to those close to him, he was Uncle Graham.
Councilors Glenn Tozer, Daphne McDonald and former councillor Peter Turner attended.
Former Prime Minister of Australia John Howard penned a thoughtful tribute, read at the ceremony and described Dr Dillon as having a “remarkable legacy”.
“Dr Dillon lived a proud life working tirelessly for his community,” Mr Howard said.
“His achievement in becoming the first elder in residence at Griffith University is one that has inspired similar recognition to be extended by other universities across Australia.”
Emerald Brewer said her grandfather had a “natural ability to tell and share stories” about what it was like to grow up in a close-knit Aboriginal family.
“We all looked up to pop. He had an uncanny ability to capture his audience and keep people of all ages entertained,” she said.
Goompi Ugerabah, a traditional dancer who was mentored by Dr Dillon, said he was instrumental in bringing recognition of indigenous culture to the Gold Coast.
This was achieved, he said, through ventures including the original Paradise Dreaming tours on Jellurgal (Burleigh headland) and by ensuring indigenous dance would be a permanent fixture at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
“There’s something about his smile that made everyone else connect with him and smile right back,” he said.
Grandson Max Dillon paid tribute to a man he described as “closer to him than anyone else” and “dearest” in his heart.
When Max was just 18 months old he became ward of Dr Dillon after his mother suffered burns to 60 per cent of her body in a house fire at Labrador.
Max said Dr Dillon ran into the burning building to “save his mother's life”.
“He wasn’t just my mentor in life, he was my hero,” he said.
“He rescued me, saved me and took me in.”
Griffith University Pro Vice Chancellor (Indigenous) Professor Cindy Shannon said Dr Dillon’s contributions to the university “had touched almost every aspect of Griffith and his legacy would continue for a very long time”.
Close friend Billy James officiated and in his eulogy said Dr Dillon had a “Mandela-like persona” and was a “living legend in my lifetime”.
“Uncle Graham’s achievements were enough to fill a library”.
Dr Dillon is survived by sister Rose, children David, Karen and Cherie, nine grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
An indigenous dance troupe performed an emotional dance to honor the man at the ceremony close.
As attendees stepped outside, a huge thunderstorm broke overhead. It was as if Uncle Graham heard the tribute loud and clear and sent the cleansing rains down to what he called “his saltwater people”.
'PROUD, ELEGANT AND MUCH-LOVED': TRIBUTE FOR BELOVED ELDER
November 21, 2021
UNCLE Graham Dillon was a “very proud, elegant and very much loved” man who changed the face of the Gold Coast.
The beloved indigenous man, the senior elder of the Kombumerri Ngarang-Wal Saltwater People of the Gold Coast, died in his sleep on Saturday at Kingaroy Base Hospital age 90, following a long period of ill health.
Dr Dillon is survived by his three children – David, Karen and Cherie – his nine grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and one great, great grandchild.
The elder was the long-serving general manager of Kalwun Development Corporation, a community-controlled service which offered support across a broad range of areas including community development/consultancy, housing and crisis accommodation.
He was a key player in the landmark 2001 deal to secure construction of the Gold Coast Convention Centre, which yielded indigenous people more than $600,000 and guaranteed jobs during its construction.
Close friend Billy James knew Dr Dillon for nearly 40 years and said he left behind a profound personal and professional legacy.
“He was a proud Kombumerri man through and through and an elegant and much loved person,” he said.
“He had such a fantastic (Nelson) Mandela manner about him who was a wonderful gentleman of course.
“The Dillon family will miss him deeply, but he leaves behind a great legacy.”
The Order of Australia Medal recipient was born in Southport in 1931 when the region had a population of just 6000 and was one of six children.
For 30 years Dr Dillon campaigned for an Aboriginal cultural centre. The project was finally listed as part of The Spit draft masterplan released in March 2019.
Designed as a “one-stop-shop for tourists” and showcasing indigenous stories and culture from around Australia in rotating exhibitions, as well as hosting an indigenous fashion week and re-enacting first contact with Captain Cook’s ship, Dr Dillon wanted the centre to turbocharge indigenous tourism and be a bridge for reconciling the black-and-white history of the Gold Coast.
He did not live to see it built.
Dr Dillon’s daughter Cherie told the Bulletin her father had struggled with ill health in his final years.
“I want to thank everyone who supported my dad’s organisation to right the wrongs which were done by the government,” she said.
“He wanted to seek a dream of his cultural centre on The Spit, something he had wanted for more than 30 years but unfortunately that didn’t happen.
“The last three years he went from being healthy to going downhill quickly but I know he is with Jesus now.”
Dr Dillon had long hoped to see a cultural centre built in his lifetime.
“It’s the culmination of my life’s work to see this indigenous cultural centre built at The Spit,” he told the Bulletin in 2020.
“Socially, this is the time to listen to the stories from our elders and understand the history of this magnificent city.
“Economically, for far too long we’ve been missing a trick when it comes to indigenous tourism. The things that overseas tourists most want to see are our native flora and fauna and our native culture.
“We have Dreamworld and Sea World and they are great, they’re a fun drawcard to our city, but they are very American.
“Let’s see something truly Australian that’s inclusive to all, that benefits us all.”
Matt Keys, director of environmental management firm Habitat, knew Dr Dillon for more than 30 years and paid tribute to his friend.
“Graham came from the most humble of beginnings and in his lifetime became a torchlight for the Kombumerri here on the Gold Coast,” he said.
“He was their most senior elder but in many respects was our city’s first citizen
His love of fellow man, love of his culture and his country served as a shining example of leadership and reconciliation between and black and white Australians.
“His loss is our loss and we must remember how extraordinarily blessed we were to have him as our friend and our colleague.”
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