Tony Wurramarrba resigns from Anindilyakwa Land Council after 20 years

A veteran Territory leader is stepping away after 20 years in the top job. Read why he’s leaving.

Tony Wurramarrba’s extraordinary 20 year career heading the Anindilyakwa Land Council has come to an end, with the veteran administrator stepping aside from his position as chair this week.

Mr Wurramarrba asked the ALC Board to exercise its powers under the Aboriginal land rights Act to elect a new Board chair, with Cherelle Wurrawilya landing the role.

A board member for 30 years, Mr Wurramarrba has been at the forefront of ALC’s biggest battles including the Groote Archipelago Local Decision-Making Agreement, the Northern Territory Aboriginal Investment Corporation and the return of the Groote Eylandt township lease to community control.

Retired Anindilyakwa Land Council Chairman Tony Wurramarrba. Picture: Zizi Averill

Ms Wurrawilya has been on the ALC board since 2019 and was a member of the audit and finance committees, chair of the Anindilyakwa Housing Aboriginal Corporation and a director of Aboriginal Housing NT.

ALC chief executive Mark Hewitt acknowledged Ms Wurrawilya’s status as the first female chair.

“The election of Cherelle is thoroughly deserved, and particularly historic, being the first

woman elected as Chair of the ALC, and indeed, to our knowledge, of any Northern Territory

Aboriginal Land Council since the inception of the Land Rights Act some 50 years ago,” he said.

“Cherelle is a strong voice and a highly respected Anindilyakwa leader, who has proven her

leadership and influence across several key organisations, most notably as Chair of the

Anindilyakwa Housing Aboriginal Corporation and as a director of Aboriginal Housing NT.

“I also want to take this opportunity to thank and recognise Tony for his significant leadership, support, and counsel to the ALC and myself.

Cherelle Wurrawilya, chair Anindilyakwa Land Council May 2024

“Tony’s record speaks for itself, and without a doubt, he has been one of the foremost Indigenous leaders of his generation.

“I wish Tony all the very best as he begins his transition into a much-deserved retirement, and his unwavering commitment to establishing a prosperous and financially stable future for the traditional owners beyond the GEMCO mine will have a lasting impact for years to come.”

Mr Wurramarrba said the ALC had been left in safe hands.

“Having served on the ALC Board for 30 years, including two decades as Chairman, I feel the time is right for me to be replaced as the chair, hand over the reins, and focus on my health and family,” he said.

“I have witnessed the ALC grow, evolve, and undergo enormous change since its inception in 1991, and it has been an absolute privilege to serve my community during this period.

“I am extremely proud of the tireless efforts of the board, my CEO, my staff, and many others to establish solid foundations for a culturally strong, locally-led and financially stable future for the traditional owners beyond the life of the GEMCO mine, in a way that is being led and championed by them.”