Vincent Lingiari AM

Vincent Lingiari AM (1919–1988) was an Elder of the Gurindji people of the Northern Territory. His mother and father were employed on the British pastoral company Vestey Ltd's cattle station, Wave Hill, south-west of Katherine. Lingiari received no formal education and began working at about age twelve, eventually becoming a head stockman, initially receiving no cash payment. On 23 August 1966 he led a 'walk-off' of about 200 Aboriginal stockmen and their families who were employed in unsafe and inequitable conditions at Wave Hill. The strike lasted nine years. Over time, a land rights claim evolved. A 1967 petition by Lingiari and his people was rejected. However, the Whitlam Government, elected in 1972, negotiated a land claim between the traditional owners and Vestey. Two new leases were issued; the Gurindji acquired title to 3250 square kilometres, including the most sacred areas of traditional lands. Mervyn Bishop's iconic 1975 photograph captures the moment when Gough Whitlam poured soil into Lingiari's hand as he handed over the deeds to the Gurindji.