Australia's first Aboriginal Methodist minister, Rev Dr D. Gondarra OAM has been remembered as a leader in faith, a strong Yolŋu lawman and advocate for his people by family, friends, colleagues and politicians in a state memorial on Thursday.
Rev Dr. Gondarra grew up in the missions Millingimbi and began what would become his life's work as a teenager in the Church, later co-founding the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress and overseeing the success of the Arnhem Land Progress Association across three decades as chair.
He passed in June, aged 79, in Arnhem Land and is survived by his four children, 18 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.
Speaking on Wednesday, Larrakia elder Richard Fijo, who delivered the Welcome to Country, described Dr. Gondarra as "a source of power".
"When I came here this morning and I looked at his picture, I thought to myself what would it be that this man would want me to say, to honour him?'....he would want me to say 'to be strong, to be standing up, to be proud of our identity, to be proud of our clans, to be proud of who we are,'" Mr Fijo said.
Accounts from those close to Dr. Gondarra in life and work shared their perspectives of a leader who left an impact across numerous avenues for the benefit of his people.
It came with acknowledgement to his journeys overseas and as a representative, including at the UN's International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination in Geneva.
Dr Gondarra was awarded an Order of Australia Medal for services to the Uniting Church in 1995.
He was also the first Indigenous representative on the World Council of Churches and received his doctorate from University of the Round Table in Arizona.
Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress national chair, Mark Kickett spoke of an "extraordinary life" lived by a man "courageous and groundbreaking in all that he did".
"The United Church of Australia and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress, First Nations people and Australia as a nation have been enriched by this humble, passionate Yolŋu man who has fought the good fight," Rev Kickett said.
Current Arnhem Land Progress Association chief executive, Alistair King said "under his guidance, ALPA transformed from a modest retail organisation of just eight stores into the largest and most diverse Aboriginal Corporation in Australia".
"His ability to connect with people from all walks of life, coupled with his deep cultural knowledge and unwavering commitment to his people, made him a true pioneer in the pursuit of Indigenous self-determination and economic empowerment," Mr King said.
Last month, former NT Chief Minister Eva Lawler described Dr Gondarra as "a fierce advocate for reconciliation – and a process to improve the lives of Aboriginal people in the Territory".
"Achieving a huge amount during his life, Rev Dr Gondarra OAM legacy will last and be honoured by many generations," Ms Lawler said.
Speaking on Thursday, recently elected Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro said Dr Gondarra "instilled an enormous sense of pride in Yona people for their language, law and culture, his empowering legacy will live on".
His eldest daughter Rita had earlier thanked all attendees for honouring her father.
