Key Takeaways
- Geoffrey Shaw OAM, an Aboriginal elder and Vietnam veteran, has passed away at the age of 79, leaving behind a legacy of courage and service to the community.
- Mr Shaw was a champion of Indigenous rights and played a crucial role in establishing several organizations that continue to shape the future of Central Australia.
- He was a founding member of the Central Land Council and served as a delegate for many years, fighting for land rights and essential services for Aboriginal people.
- Mr Shaw was also instrumental in establishing the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress and the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency.
- He received a Medal of the Order of Australia in 1993 for his advocacy work and was remembered as a "remarkably courageous man" by those who knew him.
Introduction to Geoffrey Shaw’s Life and Legacy
Geoffrey Shaw OAM, a Kaytetye and Arrernte man, has been remembered for his courage and service to the community after passing away at the age of 79 in Alice Springs. Born on Christmas Eve in 1945 in the dry riverbed of the Todd River, Mr Shaw went on to spend his life fighting for his people and his country. At 18, he joined the Australian Army and served in the Indonesian-Malaysian confrontation before completing two tours of duty in Vietnam. His military service had a profound impact on his life and shaped his advocacy work after his return to civilian life.
Advocacy Work and Establishing Organizations
After returning to the desert, Mr Shaw advocated tirelessly for Aboriginal people and was instrumental in establishing many organizations that continue his legacy today. One of his notable achievements was the establishment of Tangentyere Council, an organization that formalized leases and established housing in the town camps based on language groups on the outskirts of Alice Springs. He served as general manager and then as president of the council for many years, fighting for essential services, housing, and Aboriginal people’s agency over their own lives. Mr Shaw’s work with Tangentyere Council has had a lasting impact on the community, and his dedication to improving the lives of Aboriginal people has been recognized and respected by all who knew him.
Central Land Council and Land Rights Movement
Mr Shaw was also a founding member of the Central Land Council (CLC), serving as a delegate from its inception until 2006. The CLC chair, Warren Williams, remembered Mr Shaw’s contribution to the land rights movement and Central Australia, saying that his discipline, leadership, and strong sense of responsibility were shaped by his military service. Mr Shaw believed deeply in service to country, community, and nation, and his work with the CLC reflected this commitment. His legacy in the land rights movement will continue to be remembered with respect and gratitude, and his contributions to the CLC will not be forgotten.
Aboriginal Health Organizations and Legal Aid Services
In addition to his work with Tangentyere Council and the CLC, Mr Shaw was instrumental in establishing the Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (CAAC), one of the largest and longest-standing Aboriginal health organizations in the nation. He also played a key role in establishing the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, a legal aid service that provides essential support to Aboriginal people. Mr Shaw’s work with these organizations has had a profound impact on the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people in Central Australia, and his legacy will continue to shape the future of the region.
Tributes and Recognition
Mr Shaw’s dedication to improving the lives of Aboriginal people has been recognized and respected by all who knew him. He received a Medal of the Order of Australia in 1993 for his advocacy work, and his legacy will continue to shape Central Australia for generations to come. Indigenous Australians Minister Malarndirri McCarthy said it had been an honor to see Mr Shaw’s dedication to improving the lives of Aboriginal people firsthand, and that his powerful legacy will continue to inspire and motivate others to work towards a better future for all Australians. Mr Shaw’s passing has been met with an outpouring of tributes and condolences, and his memory will be remembered as a "remarkably courageous man" who dedicated his life to fighting for the rights and wellbeing of Aboriginal people.