Statement from the Anindilyakwa Land Council, June 30th 2024

It is with a heavy heart that we mourn the passing of former ALC Chairman, Mr T Wurramarrba AO, overnight on Groote Eylandt. 

On behalf of past and present ALC board and staff members, we offer our sincere condolences to Mr T Wurramarrba’s family. 

Mr T Wurramarrba was a great man, leader, and spokesperson, who was strongly dedicated to his family and his people. 

He was educated at Angurugu primary school and attended Dupuma College at Yirrkala in North-East Arnhem Land, before establishing a long and successful career advocating for the priorities of the Anindilyakwa people.  His career with the ALC began through roles as Community Liaison and Assistant Manager in 1991, before becoming a Board member in 1992. Mr T Wurramarrba was elected Chair of the ALC in 2003, a position he held up until his retirement last month (save for a short period in 2009-10 when he served as Deputy Chair).  Mr T Wurramarrba represented the Anindilyakwa people across all levels of government, and he always had a close eye on the future. This included advocating for important economic advancements (such as the Winchelsea Mine) to secure his people’s future once the GEMCO mine leaves. He also oversaw more women and young people joining the Board and taking up important leadership positions.

In 2018, Mr T Wurramarrba signed the groundbreaking Groote Archipelago Local Decision Making Agreement, which has seen a reduction of overcrowding through new housing and better tenancy management under local control, significant ABA funding to construct an independent boarding school on Bickerton Island for Anindilyakwa youth to receive a well-rounded bilingual education on country, the construction of a 32 bed on-country alternative to custody facility (the Anindilyakwa Healing Centre) to break the cycle of high incarceration rates amongst Anindilyakwa men, and the return of both Local Government and the Groote Eylandt Township Lease back to Groote control. He also played significant roles in numerous other historic events and milestones, including the establishment of the Northern Territory Aboriginal Investment Corporation, the Uluru Statement from the Heart, the Barunga Agreement, and the Groote Eylandt Regional Partnership Agreement, to name only a few.  

Mr T Wurramarrba served on many distinguished boards and committees throughout his career, including as Chair of the ALC Finance Committee, Anindilyakwa Royalties Aboriginal Corporation, Groote Holdings Aboriginal Corporation and Winchelsea Mining Pty Ltd, as foundation trustee of the Anindilyakwa Mining Trust, as a director of Aboriginal Sea Company, APONT, Miwatj Health, and MJD Foundation, and as a member of the former ABA Advisory Committee.

In 2013, Mr T Wurramarrba was recognised for this outstanding service to the Indigenous community of the Groote Archipelago as an Officer of the Order of Australia.

Mr T Wurramarrba was pivotal in representing the Anindilyakwa people across a vast span of reformative initiatives, and his leadership, service, and advocacy will have a lasting impact for years to come.

Out of respect, the Anindilyakwa Land Council office will be closed until ceremonial events are completed.