AustLit

'THERE IS MOURNING across the nation for a great man. Those who knew him well, as I did, can be in no doubt about the enormity of the loss to Indigenous Australians and to the country. There will be a vacuum of knowledge and wisdom until others can step in to fi ll the vast space that he inhabited. He defined a generation in so many ways, bringing Yolngu culture and philosophy into the public imagination through his ceremonial performances of the songlines, oratory, writings, and political representation of Indigenous interests, music and art. He met and made representations to every Australian prime minister serving during his adulthood. He was twice elected as chair of the Northern Land Council. He negotiated with the chairs and chief officers of corporations and industry associations. He was Australian of the Year in 1978 and was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1985 for services to the Aboriginal community. Yet these honours tell us little about his legacy. This must be accounted for in accordance with the values that he himself held as the purpose of his life.' 

(Introduction)