Trish Crossin (NT, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

That the Senate—

(a)

expresses its deep regret at the passing of the late Mr George Burarrawanga, who died at his Elcho Island home of Galiwin’ku in the Northern Territory on 9 June 2007;

(b)

pays tribute to Mr Burarrawanga’s life as a performer, best known as the magnetic lead singer of the Warumpi Band which was formed in the Central Australian community of Papunya and took its music across Australia and internationally, particularly with the well-known ballad ‘My Island Home’;

(c)

recognises Mr Burarrawanga’s heritage as a proud saltwater Gumatj man who also developed strong links in Central Australian communities and mastered several Aboriginal languages;

(d)

notes Mr Burarrawanga’s contribution to bringing a greater understanding of Aboriginal Australia through his life and performance which bridged many cultural divides; and

(e)

conveys its condolences to Mr Burarrawanga’s family and the community during this period of grief.

Question agreed to.