Vale Mr J Wave Hill – the Northern Land Council mourns the passing of one of the leaders of the land rights movement

Mr Wave Hill was one of the last survivors of the Wave Hill Walk Off, which was a pivotal early moment in the land rights movement. He was 18 years old when joined his brother-in-law, Vincent Lingiari, in walking off Wave Hill Station in demand of ‘a fair go’.

Northern Land Council chair Samuel Bush-Blanasi said Mr Wave Hill will be remembered as a leader and advocate for Aboriginal people and their land rights.

“He was a courageous leader who always stood up for his mob, he was dedicated to the very end to upholding the rights of Aboriginal people,” he said.

“On behalf of the NLC I extend my sincere condolences to his family and to the entire Kalkaringi community,”

“His loss will be deeply felt by NLC Full Council members, Traditional Owners, Native Title Holders, community members and staff.”

Northern Land Council chief executive Joe Martin-Jard said Mr Wave Hill was a remarkable man, who he had the pleasure of working with when he was at Central Land Council.

“I was deeply saddened to hear the news of his passing. He was a Central Land Council delegate and in my former role I had the opportunity of working with him.

“Mr Wave Hill was an enormously important man in the land rights struggle. On a personal level he was a proud family man and he was always so generous with his stories and entertained with his sense of humour.

“This is a very sad time for the community, we have lost a hero of the land rights movement and a true friend.”