Order of Australia medal for Gunbalanya elder

Timothy Nadjowh has been awarded an AM for his work during the mission era in West Arnhem communities.

AN elder living in Gunbalanya in West Arnhem been awarded an Order of Australia medal for his work in the area during the Mission era. Timothy Nadjowh liaised with church missionary societies and was a point of contact for Aboriginal people between the 1950s and 1980s.

Cultural Liaison Officer with West Arnhem Regional Council, at Gunbalanya, Andy Garnarradj, nominated Mr Nadjowh for the honour. He told ABC News it was important for the Gunbalanya community that Mr Nadjowh was being recognised.

“Timothy was on the front line liaising with the European people in the early days,” he said. Mr Nadjowh continued to work in the post-missionary days to represent his community, Mr Garnarradj said. “He was one of the inspirational people I looked to in my childhood."

Mr Nadjowh worked with one other non-Indigenous man to deliver essential items to remote outstations, allowing people to live in small communities on their country in western Arnhem Land.

“They would travel from Darwin for a number of days ... and then deliver food to outstations,” Mr Garnarradj said. “The things they have done, I don’t think anyone (else) would do it, but it’s a matter of people having the right choices and living in a healthy way.”