Hundreds of mourners gathered on Larrakia country to remember the late Reverend Dr D Gondarra OAM.
He was born in Milingimbi, his mother was a Lamamirri woman and his father a prominent Golumala leader. Rev Dr Gondarra was raised two ways, in deep traditional law and culture and Christianity.
Rev Dr Gondarra was a lawman of the Dhurili clan, the first Aboriginal Methodist minister and the long-running chairperson of the Arnhem Land Progress Association or ALPA.
A State Funeral was held in Darwin attended by his family, friends and community leaders to honour the beloved Yolŋu leader.
Proceedings began with a smoking ceremony and a Bungul and acknowledgements of Rev Dr Gondarra’s career which included participating at the UN’s International Convention on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination in Geneva.
Image: Rev Dr D Gondarra OAM (right) with the UN Human Rights Commissioner, Navi Pillay in Geneva, Switzerland on May 11, 2011. Aboriginal leaders from Arnhem Land communities have threatened a revolt against the Federal Government’s Stronger Futures laws by refusing to participate in land lease negotaitions or give the nod for mining exploration licences. They have written to the Prime Minister demanding the laws which continue the NT intervention be scrapped. (AAP Image/Supplied)
His commitment to the Uniting Church which led to him receiving an Order of Australia Medal in 1995 was also fondly remembered.
ALPA’s CEO, Alistair King OAM, says during his time with the corporation spanning from 1993 till his retirement in 2023, Dr Gondarra transformed it into the powerhouse it’s known as today.
He was comfortable in the balanda or non-Indigenous world, as he was in the First Nations World. He was a a cultural leader. He was a leader of his people, and he commanded that respect when he moved, when he went into a room, whether that would be with Ministers of the Crown or executives from government departments or industry for that matter.
Alistair King OAM
The NT’s new Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro also spoke at the ceremony, saying Rev Dr Gondarra’s legacy will live on.
Dr Gondarra instilled an enormous sense of pride in Yolgnu people for their language, law and culture. His empowering legacy will live on. I’d like to acknowledge and send our sincerest condolences to the family his eldest sister, children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Northern Territory Chief Minister, Lia Finocchiaro
Rev Dr Gondarra passed away on June 18, aged 79. He was surrounded by his family at home on Elcho Island.
Yolŋu man and Independent MP for Mulka, Yingiya Guyula, who was close to Rev Dr Gondarra, made an official announcement in the Northern Territory Parliament. Mr Guyula describes his as “one of the most dignified and uncompromising Indigenous Elders of our time”,
Eldest daughter, Biritjalwawuy Gondarra, spoke of her father at the time of his passing.
He’s always been a battler and a person who is for his people. He’s done so much for his people for the last 40-50, years to gain justice and freedom in Australia in this country.
Biritjalway Gondarra
Dr Gondarra is survived by his four children, 18 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
