A 42-year-old man faced Darwin Local Court over the alleged rape, murder of 35-year-old Maningrida mum Ms Galminda
A Territory community is mourning the loss of a loving mother, future leader and Australian soldier following her alleged murder in a Darwin apartment complex.
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An Australian soldier who was allegedly murdered in a Darwin apartment complex has been mourned as a kind, caring woman who was expected to become a future leader for her community.
The 35-year-old Maningrida mother-of-three, known for cultural reasons as Ms Galminda, was allegedly raped and killed by a 42-year-old man while staying at Coconut Grove to attend sorry business.
The 42-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was silent with his hands clasped together as he appeared before Darwin Local Court judge Greg McDonald on Tuesday.
He was charged with contravening a domestic violence order, sexual intercourse without consent and murder.
He did not make a bail application, and was remanded in Holtze prison until his next hearing on August 14.
Addressing the grieving family members who waited in the court, Mr McDonald said “I’m sorry you’re in Darwin for such sad reasons”.
Blake Carter was one of 15 family members who came together to watch the brief hearing.
“It’s very, very difficult to understand today,” Mr Carter said.
Mr Carter, whose family is connected to Ms Galminda, said there was a lot of sadness, as well as anger and grief among extended family members.
“It’s both ways. We’re grieving, our family is still mourning … and also the anger,” he said.
He remembered Ms Galminda as a “good friend”, a “wonderful lady” and a future leader of the Maningrida community, and they had served together in the North-West Mobile Force (NORFORCE).
“We became brothers and sisters working together. She was a good friend of mine in the army,” Mr Carter said.
A Defence spokesman shared the force’s condolences with Ms Galminda’s family, friends and colleagues.
“The death of any Australian Defence Force member is a tragedy and is deeply felt by their unit, the Defence Force family and the broader Defence community,” he said.
Mr Carter said as a Dukurrdji Traditional Owner, Ms Galminda was going to be a “future leader for Maningrida”.
“She was from our younger generation, our young leader that was a very wonderful lady,” he said.
“She was very friendly, very kind, very respectable lady. She always respected other people.
“She was a very great woman.”
Dhukurrdji Development Corporation interim, chief executive Lewis Knibbs said the community was working with the families to provide counselling and wellbeing support.
Mr Knibbs said the tragedy put a spotlight on the level of violence in the region, calling for community-led solutions to address the rates of crime related to Maningrida.
Only last week the Maningrida people signed a historic Local Decision Making agreement with the NT Government, which highlighted law and justice reform as a key priority.
The All-hours Support Line is a confidential telephone service for ADF members and their families that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week by calling 1800 628 036.
Defence Member and Family Helpline – Operates 24-7, if you need support, help, or advice at any time, call 1800 624 608.
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Originally published as A 42-year-old man faced Darwin Local Court over the alleged rape, murder of 35-year-old Maningrida mum Ms Galminda
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