Governer-General posthumously honours leading Aboriginal rights activist in Northern Territory

ABC NEWS (Australia)

A former Australian of the Year who took the fight for Aboriginal rights from the remote Northern Territory to the halls of Parliament in Canberra has been posthumously honoured for his life work. The Governor-General travelled to East Arnhem Land today to deliver the tribute to a Gumatj clan leader who passed away in 2023.

Transcript

00:00The sound of the bilma, or clapsticks, echo out as a giant of Northern Territory history

00:12looks on from above.

00:13I can feel him over my shoulder, that beautiful smile, and I hope today feels like a celebration

00:20despite the loss of this great man.

00:24In the remote community of Gunungara, a heartfelt ceremony.

00:30Australia's Governor-General paying tribute to late Gumach clan leader Galaroy Yunupingu,

00:36honouring him posthumously with an Order of Australia medal.

00:40He was so many things for so many people, and ceremonially, and from a government point

00:45of view, taught those that needed to learn about what still lies ahead.

00:50The grief from his death in 2023 still rule.

00:54His legacy is something that will burn on forever.

00:59We remember him and we celebrate him for that work, but as a great Australian who never

01:04gave up on the idea that Australia could still do better.

01:07Since Dr Yunupingu's death, Australia voted against an Indigenous voice to Parliament.

01:12A painful defeat for his family, but the late leader's wisdom bringing them strength.

01:17Life goes on, and that's what Dad encourages family to do, carry on and keep working.

01:27Carrying the flame for a leader who burned so brightly.

01:31Matt Garrick, ABC News.

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