Community mourns respected elder

This Friday, the Broome, Kimberley and wider Australian community will pay their respects to a fierce advocate of Aboriginal rights and highly respected elder and community leader.

The late Mr Frank (Gudjai) Sebastian passed away on June 24, 2012. He will be farewelled at a funeral this Friday, July 20, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Cathedral in Broome, from 2pm, followed by a smoking ceremony at the home of his son, Neil McKenzie.

Born in 1937 to a working family in Broome, Gudjai was part of the Stolen Generation, taken to grow up on Beagle Bay Mission until he was 16, when he returned to work on Thangoo cattle station with the rest of his family.

He became a leader among the Yawuru community and the wider Kimberley, as he became a fighter for the rights of Aboriginal people in the region.

In 1978 he was on the frontline in the land rights battle of Noonkanbah, taking on American oil company Amex and its plans to drill on a sacred sight.

Out of that battle, Gudjai was a founding member of the Kimberley Land Council, and had remained an executive director until he died.

He also fought for native title for “his mob”, the Yawuru people, being the first named applicant on the Rubibi native title claim, which took more than 10 years to be determined. Neil McKenzie said his father had been proud of what he had achieved and was “an icon” because of it.

“He set a precedent that could not be outdone by anyone or anything else,” he said.

“His achievements were … the stuff legends are made of.”

KLC co-chair Tom Birch said Gudjai had been a strong advocate of land rights and later native title for all Kimberley Aboriginal people.

“Old Gudjai was a fighter and inspirational leader…he will always be a part of the KLC family and we are proud to have known this true indigenous leader,” he said.

Nyamba Buru Yawuru executive chairman Pat Dodson said Gudjai would be sadly missed by his family, countrymen and all who made his acquaintance.

“We salute and farewell a unique character and leader of the Yawuru people,” Professor Dodson said.

“He will remain in our hearts always for his humour, his advocacy for injustice to be righted, and for Kimberley Aboriginal people to be respected because of their unique relationship to their lands and cultural richness.”

Broome Shire president Graeme Campbell said Broome was a lesser place for his passing, but Gudjai’s legacy would live on.

“Mr Sebastian was a highly regarded leader in the Broome community, with whom I had a personal affinity,” he said.

“His continued efforts in the pursuit of native title rights and of reconciliation were admired by the wider community.

Sincerest condolences are made to his family and to the Yawuru community.”