Dhiiyaan Indigenous Centre Aboriginal researcher Noeline Briggs-Smith said Mr Pegus would be escorted by a Queensland based organisation – Link-Up Aboriginal Corporation – representative, “Bernard”, while he went on the trip.

Mrs Briggs-Smith said Link-Up planned to drive Mr Pegus to Brisbane where he would then catch an aeroplane and travel to the Gugu Yalanji community in far north Queensland.

Traditionally, it was preferred that Mr Pegus would be escorted by a man on his trip, she said.

The Moree Champion reported in February that Mr Pegus had lost the last link to his family when his brother died at Cherbourg Aboriginal Reserve in Queensland, aged 11.

Mr Pegus is believed to be 76-years-old, having never possessed a birth certificate. Mrs Briggs-Smith said the trip was planned to occur before the end of March, due to Mr Pegus’ health.