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Order of Australia for Gunbalanya elder

02 June 2015

 Timothy Nadjowh OAM is mobbed by community members and media after his investiture as a Member of the Order of Australia in Gunbalanya on Friday 15 May. PHOTO: ABC NEWS  Timothy Nadjowh OAM is mobbed by community members and media after his investiture as a Member of the Order of Australia in Gunbalanya on Friday 15 May. PHOTO: ABC NEWS

TIMOTHY Nadjowh has been fêted as a hero in his home community of Gunbalanya in a special ceremony acknowledging his life’s work.

In a historical day of celebration, Mr Nadjowh was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his services to the Indigenous communities of West Arnhem and to the visual arts.

Mr Nadjowh was treated like Indigenous royalty in the event at the Gunbalanya school on Friday 15 May, by VIPs and schoolchildren alike.

NT Administrator John Hardy OAM invested Mr Nadjowh with the Australian Honour before a crowd of visiting dignitaries including Minister for Indigenous Affairs Nigel Scullion, Member for Arafura Francis Xavier Kurrupuwu, Traditional Owner Evonne Gumurdul, West Arnhem Chief Executive Officer Brian Hylands, Councillor Alex Siebert, community elders and leaders, and an ABC TV crew.

Minister Scullion said it had been an honour to be part of the ceremony in Gunbalanya.
“Mr Nadjowh’s contribution to indigenous affairs since the late 1960s, specifically his role in facilitating the establishment of outstations which have enabled Indigenous people to live on country in West Arnhem Land, makes him a worthy recipient of this award,” Mr Scullion said.

There were tears of pride and emotional scenes for 92-year-old Mr Nadjowh, who founded two outstations, built remote airstrips, and travelled long distances to deliver essential supplies to residents of the area.

West Arnhem Regional Council Cultural Liaison Officer Andy Garnarradj said the while the younger residents of Gunbalanya knew Mr Nadjowh was held in high regard by elders, many were unaware of his legacy.

“He was a ceremony man, through painting and the visual arts, but he was also a church leader, ordained to hold communion and funeral services.” 

“The younger generation might not know that he was part of a team that built the shop and the church in Gunbalanya,” he said.

Timothy helped people in communities around Gunbalanya by founding Gumarrinbang and Goomadeer outstations and building windmills for water supplies, he said.

“He was also in charge of a market garden here, growing papaya, wheat, bananas, and ran a peanut farm out on the airport road.”
 
Mr Nadjowh also worked with Alf Wilson OAM to improve the lives of people living in remote communities around Gunbalanya, Mr Garnarradj said. 

“A lot of hard yakka they did, those two men,” he said.  “In the 1950s and 60s they would travel to and from Darwin in an old truck to deliver rood and supplies. On the way back, sometimes they would have trouble getting bogged, and would walk a long way.” 

From the 1950s to 1980s, Mr Nadjowh assisted church missionary societies in Oenpelli and Goomadeer, working as a point of contact between Indigenous people and missionary workers. 

“He was a ceremony man, through painting and the visual arts, but he was also a church leader, ordained to hold communion and funeral services.” 

Mr Garnarradj, who nominated Mr Nadjowh for the award, said it had been “a privilege and great honour” to be MC at the event. 

“The families and relatives of old Timothy have been looking forward to it for quite some time,” he said.  "I would like to thank Shane and the directors at Gunbalanya Meat Supply for contributing to the barbecue, and West Arnhem Regional Council staff – Chrissie Nichols, Sharna Cropley and Greg Sheldon – for helping to stage the event. I would also like to thank Chief Executive Officer Brian Hylands for his attendance.” 

He said Mr Nadjowh was the second Indigenous person from the Gunbalanya community to receive an Order of Australia Medal, following on from Mr Wamud Nadadayal Nadjamerrek from Gubulwarnemyo outstation.