Vale Dr Alf Bamblett: Australia mourns indigenous leader

Throughout his life, Dr Bamblett was instrumental in establishing a number of community groups and agencies that are still central to Victoria’s Aboriginal community, such as: Aborigines Advancement League, Victorian Aboriginal Education Association Incorporated, Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service and Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Ltd.

He was a key force behind the launch of Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care in response to the amount of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children being removed from their families.

Dr Bamblett was named Victorian Aboriginal of the Year by NAIDOC in 1994 and inducted to the Victorian Indigenous Honour Roll in 2011.

From 1991 – 1995, he served as the Victorian Commissioner of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, passionate about facilitating change after the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody.

He was also chairperson of the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Advisory Committee and helped to pen the Victorian Aboriginal Justice Agreement.

In a statement yesterday, SNAICC Chairperson Sharron Williams said “Dr Bamblett was an articulate and, when the need arose, feisty advocate advising the highest levels of government on issues such as Indigenous education, disadvantage, land rights, economic development and justice.”

“Dr Bamblett’s passion, drive and vision will be greatly missed. On behalf of the SNAICC National Executive and staff, I extend our deepest condolences to Muriel and her family.”

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews also expressed his sympathies in a statement that read, “”The Victorian Government offers Uncle Alf’s family and friends our deepest sympathies. His legacy in fighting injustice will endure and his dedication to achieving equality will not be forgotten.”

Emma McDonald

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