Central Land Council celebrates 50 year milestone at Alice Springs Telegraph Station

Despite the council making the half-century milestone, the chair is already looking forward, hoping the current youth will “keep our fire burning”. Find out more.

The Central Land Council chair celebrated its 50th anniversary at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station, October 5. Picture: Central Land Council

The chair behind a large Northern Territory land council is looking to the future and hoping young people will “keep our fire burning” as the organisation marks a half-century milestone in the Red Centre.

On Saturday, October 5, the Central Land Council marked its 50 year milestone at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station.

With the theme “keep the fire burning”, Central Land Council chair Warren Williams said the event “felt like a wonderful family reunion”.

“I was so pleased to see families from far and wide join us to watch incredible ceremonial performances, dance to their favourite bands, listen to a panel discussion and meet and honour leaders from the past 50 years,” he said.

Central Land Council chair Warren Williams addresses the crowd at the CLC's 50th anniversary at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station, October 5. Picture: Central Land Council

“My personal highlight was seeing so many elders from across our region perform traditional dances with their grandchildren. It gives me great hope that our young people will keep our fire burning for the next 50 years.”

Significant CLC actions were celebrated, with Arrernte and Anangu elders holding a women-only event on the banks of the Todd River “to talk about how in the 1980s they stopped a dam from flooding their sacred site just upriver of where we were celebrating”, Mr Williams said.

The Central Land Council chair celebrated its 50th anniversary at the Alice Springs Telegraph Station, October 5. Picture: Central Land Council

Speaking at a panel hosted by Rachel Perkins – daughter of the CLC’s first chair Charlie Perkins – was Marcia Langdon, former senator Patrick Dodson, and former CLC deputy chair Geoff Shaw.

“They talked about what it was like before the CLC started and how far it has come. They also recalled some of the land rights battles they fought and how to deal with challenges it faces today,” Mr Williams said.

“We also honoured our oldest living chair, Bruce Breaden, and past CLC directors David Ross and Tracker Tilmouth.

“The whole event was a testament to the enduring strength of the Central Land Council. We’ll never stop speaking up for our people.”