Loved ones farewell Groote archipelago’s T Wurramarrba
Cherelle Wurrawilya said Mr Wurramarrba was ‘a remarkable man’, who would be remembered as a ‘highly respected leader who was strongly dedicated to his family and his people’.
Northern Territory
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Members of the Top End community have come together to remember “a tireless champion for the Anindilyakwa people” and a “friend, brother, father, son and uncle” who was “deeply committed to his community”.
Loved ones and dignitaries came together at Darwin’s Christ Church Anglican Cathedral on Wednesday for a state memorial to former Anindilyakwa Land Council chairman T Wurramarrba.
In her eulogy, current ALC chairwoman Cherelle Wurrawilya said Mr Wurramarrba was “a remarkable man”, who would be remembered as a “highly respected leader who was strongly dedicated to his family and his people”.
She said Mr Wurramarrba’s signing of the “groundbreaking” Groote archipelago local decision-making agreement in 2018 was “a key moment for our people, giving us the authority to make decisions about health, education, justice, housing, local government and economic development”.
“This was Mr Wurramarrba’s vision of a sustainable future for the Anindilyakwa people and he worked tirelessly to make it a reality,” she said.
“Having control of our destiny and leading by example for all Aboriginal people was a cornerstone of Mr Wurramarrba’s lifelong work.
“Thanks to his vision, fearless leadership and selfless service the Anindilyakwa people have benefited greatly from local decision-making.”
Ms Wurrawilya said Mr Wurramarrba was “a great man” and “a great leader”, who “believed passionately in Anindilyakwa advancement”.
“During Mr Wurramarrba’s time as chair, the ALC delivered new housing to reduce overcrowding, secured significant funding to build a high-level boarding school on Bickerton Island and build an alternative-to-custody facility to break the (cycle) of high incarceration rates,” she said.
“He oversaw more women and young people joining the ALC board and taking up important leadership positions.
“The Anindilyakwa people feel the loss of Mr Wurramarrba deeply, yet we are immensely enriched by the enduring legacy he has left behind for us.”
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Originally published as Loved ones farewell Groote archipelago’s T Wurramarrba
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