G. D. Dhurrkay Memorial 2007 | Ski Beach, Gove Peninsula

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• published: 05 Sep 2007
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This is the 2nd Memorial Ceremony in commemoration of the late G. D. Dhurrkay, held at Gunyangara' (Ski Beach) in the Gove Peninsula region of eastern Arnhem Land. Amongst other things, Mr Dhurrkay was an outstanding athlete and the first Yolngu man to make it to the AFL, a popular football code of which the AFL represents the highest level of professional competition in Australia. During his AFL career, 'Dhurrks' played for the Kangaroos in Melbourne, and the Fremantle Dockers in Perth. He also played for the Wanderers in Darwin during his NTFL days. Mr Dhurrkay was a ground-breaker in other ways, in particular, his contribution to community development and his service to the wider Miwatj region and beyond. He played critical roles as an employee of various community and government organisations and departments and is remembered for his infectious enthusiasm, commitment to social justice, and his dedication to improving the lives of his people. He was an emerging leader who took it upon himself to addressing the many social issues plaguing remote Aboriginal communities. A dear friend to many whose lives were touched by his spirit, Dhurrk's funeral 2 years ago was probably the most-well attended of any in Arnhem Land within living memory. The primary theme in this Memorial Ceremony is the raising of the flag (Dhomala). The previous year's flags for the Wanderers, Kangaroos, and Fremantle football clubs were taken down and replaced with new ones. In Wangurri, Gumatj, Dhalwangu and Warramiri ceremony, flag raising symbolises the departure of a family member. On another level, it speaks of and commemorates the Manggatharra (Macassan and other SE Asian) people who made annual visits to the shores of northern Australia well before the English, Dutch and other colonial powers navigated its coastline. The Manggatharra came with the Lunggurrma northern winds to collect Dharripa (trepang or sea-slug) and developed amicable trade and social relations with the Yolngu and other coastal peoples, over the course of centuries. The trepang were gathered with Yolngu assistance and food, water and shelter was also provided to their Asian guests. In return, the Manggatharra reciprocated with items previously unknown to Yolngu including tobacco, alcohol, cloth, knives, and other foreign goods which not only entered the local economy, but became incorporated into Yolngu cosmology as well. In preparing for their return voyage on the Djalathang southern winds, the Manggatharra would raise the flags of their ships to announce their journey home. In this way, flag raising in Yolngu ceremony symbolises the passing away of a Yirritja clansperson, the departure of the spirit back to its totemic home, to its original source. In this Memorial Ceremony for G. D. Dhurrkay, Wangurri clansman Malalakpuy Munyarryun, a brother of Dhurrks, sings whilst Dhurrk's uncle Djalu Gurruwiwi plays the yirdaki (didgeridoo). The placement of this video clip on YouTube has the permission of Djalu Gurruwiwi, so that the memory of his nephew will remain with us for all time.