Mourning the death of a great leader

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) 
has expressed shock and sadness at the premature death of Mr 
Djerrkura on May 27.

Born at Yirrkala near Nhulunbuy in East Arnhem Land, Mr Djerrkura 
was a senior elder of the Wangurri Aboriginal Clan and 
responsible for a number of traditional and ceremonial activities 
on behalf of his clan.

Mr Djerrkura will be remembered as a great champion for his 
people and a great ambassador for Australia. He devoted his life 
to righting wrongs. He never backed down from his beliefs, nor 
compromised them.

He spoke about unequal opportunities in regard to education, 
employment and training. He spoke about the legal system, 
policing, constitutional change, customary law and how Indigenous 
cultures and languages were being destroyed. It is ironic that 
his words still ring true today and that our great nation is 
still to effectively address so many of these issues.

Mr Djerrkura committed his life and considerable energy to 
fighting against racism, ignorance and paternalism and had the 
knack of pricking Australia's conscience over many years about 
the way Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were being 
treated in the "Lucky Country".

He was a great Australian who fought to try and make Australia a 
fairer and better country for us all. He was heartened by the way 
the push for Reconciliation in Australia was developing through 
people power.

Widely respected throughout Australia as a leader he served as 
Chairman of ATSIC from December 1996 to December 1999 and has 
held the positions of ATSIC NT North Zone Commissioner and 
Chairperson of the Miwatj Provincial Governing Council.

The father of three also held a number of other current 
positions, including the director of the Board of the Indigenous 
Land Corporation, chairman of the Batchelor College Council, a 
member of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation and a board 
member of the National Australia Day Council.

He has held key positions in Aboriginal health and education 
organisations, and has a long history in Aboriginal 
administration and business.

He was awarded the Order of Australia in 1984, for services to 
the Aboriginal community and his tireless and dedicated work 
confirms his place in the forefront of modern Australian history. 
We consider it an honour and a privilege to have known and worked 
with Mr Djerrkura.

Our hearts are with his family at this time. He will be sadly 
missed.

* * *

Note: In keeping with Aboriginal custom and the express 
wishes of Mr Djerrkura's family, we do not publish his photograph 
nor use his first name.