Tennant Creek mourns death of former Barkly councillor R Plummer

A widely respected leader, former councillor and advocate for Tennant Creek has died suddenly. Read how he’ll be remembered.

Tennant Creek has lost a highly respected community leader, former councillor and ‘advocate’ for the Barkly region. Picture: (A)manda Parkinson

A Territory town is in mourning after the sudden death of one of its most respected and dedicated leaders.

Tennant Creek’s R Plummer died in the early hours of Saturday, leaving behind his “childhood sweetheart” Rhonda, five children and many grandchildren.

The proud Warumungu man and traditional owner served as a councillor with the Barkly Regional Council from 2017 to last year, including a stint as deputy mayor.

Mr Plummer also worked with the Central Land Council for several years and was a longstanding board member of Tennant Creek’s ‘House of Language’, Papulu Apparr-Kari Aboriginal Corporation, alongside many other community roles.

R Plummer along with Barkly MLA Steve Edgington met the former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull in Canberra in 2018 to initiate the Barkly Regional Deal. Picture: Supplied

His brother Clifford said Mr Plummer “had a connection with everyone around the Barkly”.

“He was highly respected by a lot of groups through sport and work,” he said.

“It was the way he talked to people.

“The Barkly community has lost a great man.”

Clifford said the family’s many grandchildren were going to miss their ‘Pop’, alongside his life partner Rhonda, Mr Plummer’s “childhood sweetheart”.

We shared so many great times together which I will treasure forever. Whether through football, on council, or travelling and working together everyday, he always focused on trying to get the best outcomes for the people of the #Barkly.

Thanks for everything, goodbye my friend!

— Steve Edgington MLA (@SteveEdgoMLA) February 25, 2023

Barkly MLA Steve Edgington said he was devastated to lose his “best friend”.

“(Mr Plummer) and I served on council for many years together,” he said.

“Not only were we best friends but we worked as a team.

“One of the proud moments we shared was going to Canberra in 2018 to meet with the Prime Minister at the time Malcolm Turnbull to initiate the Barkly Regional Deal.

“He always put his family and the people of the Barkly first, his focus was to make life better for everyone.

“We’ve lost a great advocate for the Barkly.”

Mr Edgington said no matter where his close friend went across the Territory, “people would stop to say hello”.

“(Mr Plummer) was a very well known sportsperson in his younger days through football, not only in Tennant Creek but in Darwin and Alice Springs, all around the NT.

“He was responsible for establishing the Jalajirrpa Mission Warriors Football Club which participated in the Barkly Australian Football League and the Jalajirrpa Band.

“He was a friend to many and I know his passing will be felt by many people in all parts of the Territory.”

Several of Tennant Creek’s community facilities were closed on Saturday as a mark of respect.

[e-mail]