William Tilmouth named NAIDOC Week male Elder of the year

An Arrernte man and prominent First Nations leader has taken out one of the top NAIDOC Week honours in recognition of his ‘unrelenting’ fight for freedom and dignity for all.

William Tilmouth has dedicated his life to healing the trauma of past generations and protecting the future of the next.

Though he humbly describes himself as “not one for accolades”, the Arrernte man was named NAIDOC Week’s Male Elder Award for 2023.

“I believe there’s many others who could be standing in my stead,” he said.

“I’ll accept it on behalf of all those Elders who have gone before me who were never nominated, and never had this opportunity to have their voices heard. Those who hold our law, songs, ceremony and knowledge.

“Theirs are the voices we need to listen to.”

William Tilmouth won the NAIDOC Week Male Elder Award 2023. Picture: Children’s Ground

Mr Tilmouth has overcome poverty, incarceration, injustice and inequality as a member of the Stolen Generation.

He was inspired by his old uncles and grandfathers who welcomed him home.

“Coming back from being a part of the Stolen Generation they embraced me, and they said you’re one of us, you belong here,” Mr Tilmouth said.

“That was better than anything that I could have ever done. At last, I was home. I knew it.”

He now stands tall as a role model for his community and has held positions in Aboriginal housing, health, and legal services before his role as Children’s Ground founding co-chair.

Children’s Ground CEO Jane Vadiveloo said Mr Tilmouth was a “true leader”.

“He never promotes himself. He has a deep respect for others, he reveres his Elders and empowers those whose voices are rarely heard,” she said.

“He sees his responsibility to his culture, law and people – Elders, young people and children,” she said.

“William is always using his voice to challenge the status quo.

“He is humble, powerful, brilliant and unrelenting in his fight for freedom for his people and the basic dignity of all.”

Mitchell and Edmond Doolan accepted Mr Tilmouth's award on his behalf. Picture: National NAIDOC

Mr Tilmouth was unable to attend the awards ceremony in Brisbane, but the accolade was accepted by Mitchell and Edmond Doolan – who work at Children’s Ground – on his behalf.

During their acceptance speech, the pair said the organisation nominated Mr Tilmouth to “back those that we believe in and value”.

“William is that solid foundation, that steady rock that people go to to ask questions of and ask support of, and he provides that for us all,” they said.

“He’s constantly empowering others and empowering our youth, especially our men, in really remote locations.

“He provides the leadership for which people can have their own voice.”

‘For our Elders’: How First Nations leaders have shaped the Territory

Two of the NT’s local heroes are in the running for some of NAIDOC week’s highest honours this year.

Arrernte man William Tilmouth said being nominated for this year’s Male Elder Award was a surprise and an honour.

“I believe there are far more deserving people out there who have done a lot in their lives as well,” he said.

Mr Tilmouth said being an Elder meant he had “seen the disempowerment of people” and was responsible for improving their circumstances.

“History shows that there are many people who have gone before me who stood up and used their agency in life and to empower people and have been successful,” he said.

“I might be an Elder, but the community is the leader.”

Arrernte Elder and Co-Founder of Children's Ground William Tilmouth has been nominated for the 2023 NAIDOC Week Male Elder Award. Picture: Damon Van Der Schuit

As the founding chair of Mparntwe organisation Children’s Ground, Mr Tilmouth works to drive transformational change for the Territory’s future generations.

Children’s Ground offers community-led approach to accessing education, health, cultural and economic opportunities.

Mr Tilmouth said it was time to start listening to people and learning from their ideas and solutions.

“For years, old people have said we want our children to learn our ways, to walk in both worlds and to take their role and be a part of the opportunities and success society has to offer,” he said.

“Sadly, that hasn’t happened. To some extent it has, but there are a lot of the people who don’t have those opportunities, especially the ones in the outstations and remote areas.”

Larrakia Man Daniel Motlop has been nominated for the 2023 NAIDOC Week Innovation Award. Picture: Supplied

Without the guidance of his own Elders throughout his childhood, a Territory footy icon and innovator said he might not have had the chance to chase his dreams.

Larrakia man Daniel Motlop said his grandfather – a Torres Strait man who moved to Darwin – was his “best friend”.

Mr Motlop said he lived with his grandparents “most of the time”.

“I was lucky enough to learn a lot of good traits from those people and learn a little about the bush,” he said.

“My grandfather … was an amazing man and a hardworking man, and I’m sure he’d be pretty proud of where we are as a family.

“Four people in his family play AFL, grandsons and grandkids and that, so we’re pretty lucky.”

Mr Motlop said it was important to nurture a connection with his Elders and learn from them because “they’ve been through a lot in the past”.

“My grandmother on my mum’s side had been taken away and obviously lived with that trauma,” he said.

“They gave us every opportunity to live a normal life, because growing up for them, they didn’t get to live normal lives.”

Former AFL star Daniel Motlop said his grandfather would be proud to see four members of his family playing AFL. Picture: Matt Loxton

Mr Motlop’s connection to his grandfather and the bush knowledge he gained from that relationship is reflected in his iconic green ant gin.

It comes as no surprise Mr Motlop’s creative blend of native ingredients has landed him a spot as a NAIDOC Week Innovation Award finalist.

“We grew up harvesting and going out bush and eating a lot of this stuff,” he said.

“To be able to retire from footy and then go back and create a job from it and the business, it’s been exciting.”

Mr Motlop said it was overwhelming to be nominated but was thrilled by the recognition the award could bring to native ingredients in the food industry.

“We’re always open to a lot of idea and working with native ingredients, trying to and make them commercial,” he said.

“Buying from Aboriginal communities and things like that is always important.”

This year’s NAIDOC Week – from July 2-9 – theme is For Our Elders.

Aboriginal Affairs Minister Selena Uibo encouraged all Territorians to support NAIDOC community events.

“NAIDOC Week is a significant celebration for Aboriginal Territorians and the wider community,” she said.

“It’s an opportunity to share stories, history, culture and achievements – and to play sport and have fun.

“This year’s theme recognises our amazing Elders and the incredible role they have played in continuing the oldest culture on the planet.”

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles said NAIDOC Week was a time to “share stories and be together.

“NAIDOC is an important opportunity to acknowledge the rich history, diverse cultures and wide-ranging achievements of our First Nations people,” she said.

Originally published as William Tilmouth named NAIDOC Week male Elder of the year