The Moree Aboriginal community has lost one of its most prominent advocates, with the sad passing of well-respected Kamilaroi elder Lyall Munro Snr.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Tributes flowed for Uncle Lyall, who is being remembered as a staunch, loyal and respected Gomeroi leader, who spent his life fighting for justice and land rights for Aboriginal people.
Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall was one of many people to pay tribute to Uncle Lyall, extending his condolences to the entire Munro family.
"Wearing his iconic black hat, Uncle Lyall was a force to be reckoned with, his advocacy paving the way for the establishment of the NSW Aboriginal Legal Service," Mr Marshall said.
"Present at the ground breaking Freedom Ride in 1965, with activist Charles Perkins, the historic student protest outside Moree Pool resulted in Aboriginal people being allowed into the facility for the first time."
Uncle Lyall helped establish the Aboriginal Legal Service in Redfern in 1970. The ALS was the first dedicated legal service for Aboriginal people and the first free legal assistance service to be established anywhere in Australia.
As a descendant of the victims and survivors of the Myall Creek Massacre, Uncle Lyall was also a founding member of the Myall Creek Memorial Committee.
Over the years, Uncle Lyall also received many awards and accolades acknowledging his contribution to the struggle for Aboriginal rights.
"Alongside his wife Carmine, Uncle Lyall advocated on behalf of Aboriginal people for access to employment, education and life free from discrimination," Mr Marshall said.
"The legacy of Uncle Lyall Munro Snr will be felt by many, for many generations to come and I extend my deepest sympathies to his family, friends and all those whose lives were changed for the better, as a result of his actions."
NSW Labor Leader Jodi McKay and Shadow Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty David Harris also expressed their heartfelt condolences of the whole NSW Labor Party to the family and friends of Uncle Lyall.
"Uncle Lyall was a leader at the forefront of the struggle for justice and land rights for Aboriginal people," they said in a statement.
"He will be deeply missed by the Kamilaroi people, by the wider Aboriginal community across Australia, and by Australians from all walks of life who share in the cause of justice, equality and reconciliation. Vale Uncle Lyall Munro."
Mr Marshall wrote to Premier Gladys Berejiklian, requesting a state funeral for Uncle Lyall.
"Uncle Lyall is regarded as an important and prominent Aboriginal Land Rights advocate in Australia and especially in NSW," he said.
"He dedicated his life to advocate for the rights of all Aboriginal people. His life-long and deep commitment to bringing about change for the better to Aboriginal people across NSW should be acknowledged at a state level. It would be a fitting tribute for a prominent and distinguished member of the NSW community."
That request has since been granted, with a state funeral to be held in Moree on Saturday, July 11 at Burt Jovanovich Oval at 11am, followed by internment at Moree Cemetery.
