Makia Mclaughlin, daughter of David Gulpilil, faces court

The daughter of one of Australia’s most beloved actors, David Gulpilil, has made a harrowing appearance in court on a string of charges, including armed robbery.

Makia Mclaughlin with her father, the late Australian actor, David Gulpilil. Picture: Supplied

The daughter of late Australian actor David Gulpilil begged a court not to return her to custody after she was slapped with a string of charges, including armed robbery.

Makia Mclaughlin, 35, was refused bail at the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on Friday morning.

Ms Mclaughlin, who was previously diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, had to be escorted from the courtroom during the proceedings after becoming extremely distressed.

Makia Mclaughlin fronted court on Friday. Picture: Supplied.

On October 17, Ms Mclaughlin allegedly attempted to rob an unknown woman’s purse and allegedly hit the woman with a jagged edged metal pole.

An Uber driver intervened and she was arrested at the scene.

The court heard Mclaughlin’s tragic life, mental illness and substance abuse contributed to her repeated run-ins with the law and alleged violent offending.

Mclaughlin, who works as an Indigenous artist, also allegedly stole alcohol from a Fitzroy bottle shop and allegedly threw a glass bottle and a brick at a neighbour.

The alleged incident was filmed by the neighbour and the footage was played in court.

The court heard Mclaughlin was drug affected and was taken to the hospital under the Mental Health Act after this incident.

As part of her bail application Mclaughlin's lawyer said if she were to be bailed she would be immediately transported to St Vincent’s hospital for an involuntary psychiatric evaluation.

Her bail was refused. Picture: Supplied.

Magistrate Abigail Burchill said she “did not refuse bail lightly”, noting the extremely difficult life McLaughlin had including growing up in foster care.

She said McLaughlin did not meet the strict requirements of bail but that she was “nearly there” and encouraged her to connect with her community.

Ms Burchill said there were also “inconsistencies” in the prosecution case including with the armed robbery charge that may be changed after the committal process.

The court heard Mclaughlin was extremely scared of returning to custody.

Ms Burchill said Dame Phyllis Frost, where Mclaughlin had spent time in custody, was an “unsafe place for Aboriginal women” after the death of Veronica Nelson in 2020.

Mclaughlin will next front court for a committal hearing on January 10.

Acclaimed Indigenous Australian actor, David Gulpilil died in November 2021. Picture: Supplied.

A court had previously heard her mental health spiral began after she went to see her terminally ill father in South Australia in October 2019.

Living in the Shepparton area at the time, she made an appeal through an online fundraising page for help to get a bus fare to visit him in Murray Bridge.

More than $4000 was raised. She later thanked those who made a donation, posting photos of the reunion with “my beautiful dad”.