Elliot McAdam, former Labor Barkly MLA, remembered in state memorial in Alice Springs
Family and friends have paid tribute to a former Barkly MLA at a state memorial in the Red Centre capital, remembering him as a loving dad, a fierce parliamentarian, and as a man they all “looked up to”.
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A loving grandad, a quiet but fierce parliamentarian, and a man who rolled into town with “Bob Dylan albums and his John Lennon glasses” are some of the ways friends and family are choosing to remember a Barkly MLA who recently died.
Almost a month after he died, former Labor minister and Barkly MLA Elliot McAdam has been honoured at a state memorial held at Traeger Park oval in Alice Springs on Thursday.
More than 100 people gathered to honour the parliamentarian, with family and former colleagues sharing stories.
Mr McAdam’s family paid tribute, with nephew Greg McAdam remembering a man who returned to the Territory after completing schooling at Christchurch Grammar School in Perth.
“He left as a young boy and returned as a young man,” he said.
“I distinctly remember him coming back – I was only very young myself – with his Bob Dylan albums and his John Lennon glasses, and his (Volkswagen).”
“It was cool. We looked up to him – it was magic then.”
Mr McAdam’s daughters Ngara Keeler and Allira McAdam also spoke, reflecting on the greatest gift he gave them: his time.
“We had to share him with the people of the Territory, but along the way, he always remained our Dad,” they said.
“We are proud of the mark he made on the world, on the Territory, on the Barkly, on the south of Central Australia, and everywhere especially, we just wish we had more time just to be (with him).
“If we had one more day we’d ask him so much more about his life.
“He instructed us over the years and showed us his values.
“In our early years and later in life, he gave us his great gift, which was his time.”
In attendance was Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro, Treasurer Bill Yan, current Barkly MLA Steve Edgington, opposition leader Selena Uibo, Araluen independent Robyn Lambley, Gwoja MLA Chansey Paech, and federal Indigenous Australians minister Malarndirri McCarthy.
Ms Finocchiaro said Mr McAdam was a “man of integrity who generously invested his time and energy to help others”.
“He opened his home to those in need, especially the old people, to ensure that their voices were heard,” she said.
“He was a fiercely intelligent orator in parliament, he fought hard, including with his own party, and tirelessly advocated for the people of the Barkly to improve local government infrastructure, housing, education and community services.”
Mr Elliot, 72, died on August 5 in Adelaide after a short illness.
He was born in Elliot in 1951 and served as the Labor MLA for Barkly from 2001 to 2008 before quitting the cabinet due to Labor failing to merge Top End councils, as was done prior with councils in Central Australia.
He was the minister for local government and housing, and before entering politics, was the Julalikari Aboriginal Council general manager.
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