Vincent Lingiari (1919–1988) was an Elder of the Gurindji people of the Northern Territory. In August 1966 he led a walkout of Aboriginal stockmen and their families who were employed in unsafe and inequitable conditions on Wave Hill cattle station, south-west of Katherine. Over time, a land rights claim evolved.
What did Vincent Lingiari say to Gough Whitlam?
At the ceremony, Whitlam poured a handful of soil slowly into Lingiari’s hands and said, ‘I put into your hands this piece of the earth itself as a sign that we restore them [lands] to you and your children forever’.
What did Vincent Lingiari work as?
Vincent Lingiari AM (13 June 1908 – 21 January 1988) was an Australian Aboriginal rights activist and member of the Gurindji people. In his early life he started as a stockman at Wave Hill Station, where the Aboriginal workers were given no more than rations, tobacco and clothing as their payment.
Is Vincent Lingiari still alive?
Deceased (1908–1988)
Vincent Lingiari/Living or Deceased
Who gave the sand to Vincent Lingiari?
Prime Minister Gough Whitlam
He was present in 1975 when Prime Minister Gough Whitlam handed back, with a symbolic pouring of sand into Vincent Lingiari’s hand, the 2,500 sq km Wave Hill lease.
Where is Vincent Lingiari?
The Division of Lingiari encompasses nearly all of the Northern Territory as well as Christmas Island and the Cocos Islands. It includes Daguragu and traditional Gurindji lands.
Who is Vincent Lingiari and why is the Whitlam photograph iconic?
The image of Whitlam pouring a handful of earth back into the hand of Gurindji elder and traditional landowner Vincent Lingiari – marking the return of his people’s is traditional lands – is still instantly recognisable. And yet, the photograph itself was a do-over.
Who is Vincent Lingiari?
The Gurindji Elder Vincent Lingiari is pictured accepting the lease documents from Whitlam. In his speech, Lingiari stated that Aboriginal people and all other Australians should now ‘live happily together as mates’ and ‘not fight over anything’.
What do you know about ‘Lingiari’?
The Northern Territory Federal electorate ‘Lingiari’ is named after him, and a memorial to him is located in Reconciliation Place, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. We asked people on the street how much they knew about this iconic image – here’s what they had to say. Weeknights, 9pm on NITV.
What was the significance of Gough Whitlam’s red soil gesture?
The historically significant gesture of pouring of a handful of red soil by Gough Whitlam into Vincent Lingiari’s hand on 16 August 1975, symbolised the legal transfer of Wave Hill station back to the Gurindji people.
