Rev Dr D Gondarra remembered as trailblazing Yolngu lawman and spiritual leader

Reverend Dr D Gondarra OAM has been remembered as a courageous leader, dedicated family man, and pioneering figure committed to the cause of Indigenous justice.

Reverend Dr D Gondarra OAM has been remembered as a courageous leader, dedicated family man, and pioneering figure committed to the cause of Indigenous justice.

Hundreds gathered to honour the senior Yolngu leader at a state funeral in Darwin on Thursday, after he passed away on June 18 aged 79.

Among those in attendance were Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro, Police Commissioner Michael Murphy, federal politicians Marion Scrymgour and Luke Gosling, Mulka MLA Yingiya Mark Guyula and several other Yolngu and religious leaders.

Many family members gathered to honour the pioneering Indigenous and religious leader Rev Dr D Gondarra OAM in Darwin on 29 August 2024. Picture: Fia Walsh.

Dr Gondarra grew up on a mission in Milingimbi and later settled on Elcho Island.

He became Australia’s first Aboriginal Methodist minister, meeting with Indigenous peoples around the world to develop a “uniquely Indigenous faith”.

Also a respected lawman of his Dhurili clan, Dr Gondarra was a strong advocate for spiritual and political freedom – taking his fight for justice to some of the highest offices in the world.

Rev. Dr. Djiniyini Gondarra OAM delivers a speech outside Australia House in London on May 13, 2011. AFP PHOTO/BEN STANSALL

Longtime friend Melanie Wilkinson said there were two elements fundamental in shaping Dr Gondarra’s life: his Christian faith and commitment to Yolngu law.

She also paid testament to the “centrality of family in his life”.

“He provided support and guidance to his children through their lives,” she said.

“He was kind, generous and patient, but there were strong expectations that they abide by Yolngu law as well as develop their Christian faith. Careful in expressing his authority, it was always present.

“Dr Gondarra’s wider work in his life of building bridges was a constant side story; the canvas ever expanding from Galiwin’ku to broader Yolngu society, the NT, wider Australia and the world.”

Throughout his life, Dr Gondarra was the first Indigenous representative on the World Council of Churches, founded the cross-cultural mediation program Mawul Rom, served on the board of Reconciliation Australia, and was awarded an Order of Australia in 1995 for service to the church.

He was the first Yolngu chairman of the Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Association (ALPA), during which time he helped grow the organisation to one of Australia’s largest Indigenous owned and operated companies.

At home on Elcho Island, Arnhem Land in 1996.

A theme throughout Thursday’s ceremony was Dr Gondarra’s commitment to bridging the gap between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal laws, language and meaning.

A state funeral service was held to honour pioneering Indigenous and religious leader Rev Dr D Gondarra OAM in Darwin on 29 August 2024. Picture: Fia Walsh.

Politician and senior Yolngu leader Mr Guyula said the state funeral was a reminder to try to understand and accept Dr Gondarra’s message of mutual understanding and respect.

“(We must) try and close that gap,” Mr Guyula said.

“People are worried about treaty. People are worried about sovereignty.

“So through this (funeral) and in the chamber, in Canberra and everywhere, we must work together to make the community better, so that we (can) all live together and we understand each other, so we have a space where people can make decisions for themselves.”

Chief Minister Mrs Finocchiaro said Dr Gondarra “instilled an enormous sense of pride in Yolngu people for their language, law and culture” and that his empowering legacy would live on.

He is survived by five children, 18 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.