Anindilyakwa Land Council deputy chair Mr Amagula passes away aged 52
‘He will be in our hearts and minds as we vote in the referendum’. Tributes are flowing for a Voice campaigner and respected Territory leader after his sudden death.
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A Territory leader who called on the Federal government and all Australians to answer the call of Aboriginal constitutional recognition has passed away, two days before the historic Voice referendum.
Anindilyakwa Land Council confirmed deputy chair Mr Amagula passed away on Thursday, aged 52, in Darwin, 644 km from his island home on Groote Eylandt.
It is understood the respected Anindilyakwa leader had been ill for some time.
Mr Amagula was one of four land council chairs who signed the Barunga Declaration to Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney in June, calling for the nation to “come together … to build a future we can all be proud of”.
“The Barunga Declaration … was presented to the Prime Minister in June by the four NT land councils calling on Australians to vote “yes” in the upcoming referendum,” the ALC said.
ALC remembered their colleague and friend as a “strong advocate and a passionate leader who was committed to securing a better future for his people”.
The 52-year-old was the ALC deputy chair for five years, and was a director of the Aboriginal Sea Company Ltd, the Northern Territory Aboriginal Investment Corporation and Miwatj Health.
As a former Dhimurru Ranger, he helped to set up the Anindilyakwa Land and Sea Rangers Program on Groote Eylandt and worked at the Gumatj Gulkula Regional Training Centre.
In his final years, the Anindilyakwa leader was member of the Voice Referendum Engagement Group.
ALC said Mr Amagula was passionate about youth development and juvenile diversion programs, sports coaching, cultural repatriations — including travelling to Europe and North America to facilitate the return of hundreds of Anindilyakwa artefacts.
Central Land Council chief executive Les Turner paid tribute to the “impressive young leader”.
“We have lost a good man in our shared struggle for a better future for our people,” Mr Turner said.
“(He was) full of plans and passion for his people, and with so much to offer to his country,” Mr Turner said.
“He didn’t let his failing health stop him from joining the chairs of the other Northern Territory land councils as they presented the Barunga Voice Declaration to the Prime Minister.”
“He was proud of his signature under the declaration and he will be in our hearts and minds as we vote in the referendum.”
Arirrki Aboriginal Corporation acknowledged the passing of the “much loved nephew and uncle”.
“He will always be remembered fondly for taking the time to listen and speak with the community, to consider other’s thoughts and opinions and offer a balanced perspective of tradition and culture, with the understanding of working with in a bigger world outside of Groote Eylandt” AAC said.
The Groote Eylandt Mining Company said they had a collaborative relationship with Mr Amagula, describing him as a strong advocate seeking better outcomes for Indigenous people
Anindilyakwa Land Council closed its offices on Friday out of respect, with funeral arrangements yet to be organised, while Anindilyakwa Land and Sea Rangers said given his passing, the Amagula River Recreation Area would be closed.
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