Margaret Wirrpanda

Margaret Wirrpanda (1939-February 24, 2013) was a campaigner for Australian Aboriginal rights.

Early life

Margaret Briggs was born at Cummeragunja, New South Wales, daughter of activists Geraldine Clements Briggs and Selwyn Briggs. Her maternal aunt, Margaret Tucker, and maternal grandmother Teresa Middleton Clements were also active on behalf of Yorta Yorta rights. She had no formal high school education and instead gained much of her knowledge from seeking out the insight of government and private figures.[1] Their extended family of activists included Sir Douglas Nicholls and Jack Patten.[2] Margaret was one of nine siblings raised in Shepparton.[3]

Career

In the 1960s Margaret joined her mother and sisters in working towards Aboriginal rights with the Federal Council of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.[4] They were part of the movement that won approval of the 1967 Referendum.[5] Margaret became an officer of the National Council of Aboriginal and Islander Women when it formed in 1972, and was a founder of the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service that same year.[6] In 1973 she helped to found the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service.[3]

Margaret Wirrpanda was the first woman to be president of the Aborigines Advancement League. In the 1980s, she served a term as president of the National Women's Consultative Council. Mrs. Wirrpanda spent her later years as a plaintiff representing the Yorta Yorta Tribal Council, in court cases related to title claims; and as convener of the Victorian Aboriginal Women's Congress.[7] She also served as principal of Worawa College, a school for Aboriginal youth founded by her sister, Hyllus Maris.[5]

In 1984, Wirrpanda played an important role in assisting the Yorta Yorta Tribal Council attempt to claim ownership over the Barmah Forest. She continued to support the tribe in legal proceedings with the Federal Court between 1996-2002.[1]

Wirrpanda was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2003.[1]

Margaret also acted as part of a committee devoted to water issues after the Victorian Government signed a land management agreement with the Yorta Yorta tribe in 2004.[1] She is quoted as saying, "We concentrate too much on what happens overseas and not enough on what's going on here. When the water level gets low enough, we're all going to find out what it means to survive."[8]

Wirrpanda died in early 2013, in Melbourne, from complications related to diabetes.[9] In 2014 she was posthumously named to the Victoria Indigenous Honour Roll.[10]

Personal life

Margaret Wirrpanda married David Wirrpanda, and was the mother of four, including David Wirrpanda, a noted footballer.[11]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 "Margaret ‘Dharrul’ Wirrpanda (1939 – 2013)." Department of Premier and Cabinet. N.p., n.d.
  2. ↑ "Collaborating for Indigenous Rights: Geraldine Briggs," National Museum Australia website.
  3. 1 2 "Margaret 'Dharrul' Wirrpanda (1939-2013)," Victoria Indigenous Honour Roll 2014 Inductees, Department of Premier and Cabinet, State Government of Victoria.
  4. ↑ Sue Taffe, Black and White Together FCAATSI: The Federal Council of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, 1958-1973 (University of Queensland Press 2005). ISBN 0702235113
  5. 1 2 Martin Flanagan, "Two Steps Forward, Five Steps Back," The Age (May 19, 2007).
  6. ↑ Richard Broome and Corinne Manning, A Man of All Tribes: The Life of Alick Jackomos (Aboriginal Studies Press 2006): 123. ISBN 0855755016
  7. ↑ "Kirner Apologises to Aborigines," Canberra Times (August 15, 1991): 5.
  8. ↑ Flanagan, Martin. "'Two Steps Forward, Five Steps Back'" Www.theage.com.au. N.p.
  9. ↑ "Wirrpanda Ready for Another Brutal Contest," Sydney Morning Herald (June 12, 2013).
  10. ↑ Estelle Griepink, "Wirrpanda named to Indigenous Honour Roll," Shepparton News (October 2, 2014).
  11. ↑ Steve Butler, "Wirra says Mum was Fighter and Inspiration," The West Australian (February 27, 2013).
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