Ministerial Statement

WILSON, MR G.I.

The Hon. M.D. RANN (Ramsay—Premier, Minister for Economic Development, Minister for Social Inclusion, Minister for the Arts, Minister for Sustainability and Climate Change) (15:55): I seek leave to make a ministerial statement.

Leave granted.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: I really want to acknowledge today—and I am sure a number of members opposite and behind me would agree—the passing of Mr Garnett Ian Wilson, a prominent Ngarrindjeri and Kaurna elder, well known to many people in South Australia. I also acknowledge the family, close friends of Mr Wilson, and all those who hold memories of him. On behalf of the government, I would like to express our sadness at the passing of Mr Wilson. Mr Wilson's funeral took place yesterday at the St Francis Xavier Cathedral and today I understand that a committal service has been held at Raukkan, where the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation has been representing the South Australian government.

Born Garnett Ian Wilson on 7 January 1928, Mr Wilson was the first baby born at the Point McLeay hospital (now Raukkan). At the age of 12, he suffered a serious injury which developed into a painful and permanent disability. Through tough family love, he turned away from bitterness and self-pity towards a lifetime of achievement and service. Garnett Wilson (who was known to me as Garnie) was the first Aboriginal wool classer in South Australia and served for 28 years in this industry.

He was recently inducted into the hall of fame for his contributions to the shearing industry and the role he served as a wool classer. Much of his service and work in this industry was performed on Kangaroo Island, where he started working with his father. I know from many years of associations with both Garnie and the late Ted Chapman that they had a close friendship and worked together over many years on Kangaroo Island. Indeed, Garnie shore sheep on Ted Chapman's property.

Ms Chapman: Wool classed.

The Hon. M.D. RANN: Sorry, wool classed on his property. On 8 December 1966, His Excellency the Governor of South Australia appointed four people—Garnett Wilson, Tim Hughes, Natasha McNamara and John Millar—as the foundation members of the board of the Aboriginal Lands Trust, the first Aboriginal landholding body in Australia. That was the start of Aboriginal land rights. In 1977, Mr Wilson became chair of the Aboriginal Lands Trust and this appointment was to last incredibly until 2001.

In 1975, the Fraser coalition government rebadged and reformed the National Aboriginal Conference (NAC) and Mr Wilson was to become the state chairman and served from 1977 to 1985. In his second term, he served on the national executive as deputy chair for 12 months. The NAC was the forerunner to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), which was established in 1990.

When Mr Wilson represented the NAC at the national level, he became the first Aboriginal to attend the United Nations to talk about the Treaty for all Aboriginal Peoples in Australia. Mr Wilson was involved in a number of Aboriginal organisations, having also chaired the State Aboriginal Heritage Committee. His involvement in a number of forums, boards and committees earned him the affectionate nickname of 'the Chairman'.

On 26 January 1984, Mr Wilson was acknowledged with a medal of the Order of Australia for his services to Aboriginal welfare. He received a letter from the former South Australian Premier, David Tonkin, offering him an MBE but, true to Mr Wilson's nature, he refused this award and was eventually persuaded to accept the OAM.

Mr Wilson made an outstanding contribution to this state and lived a life that was extraordinary and remarkable. He was dedicated to advocating the rights and interests of Aboriginal people, and his passion and vision for the Raukkan community was inspirational. Mr Wilson was widely respected for his strength of character. He warmed the hearts of all who knew him. He was considered a kind and gentle man who had time for all. He has left a lasting impression on the many organisations he chaired and represented.

I was a member when I got to know Garnett Wilson, the first time being when I worked for Don Dunstan, then for Des Corcoran and John Bannon. I got to know him better when I was a member of the Aboriginal Lands Committee of this house. I also got to know him extremely well when I became minister for Aboriginal affairs in late 1989, and I worked very closely with him over the next three years. He was head of the Aboriginal Lands Trust. We actually moved the lands committee from working only with the Pitjantjatjara lands and the Maralinga Tjarutja lands to including the Aboriginal Lands Trust as part of the committee's purview.

I think Garnett Wilson was a quiet achiever, someone who did a huge amount for his people, both by way of example and also through the huge role he played in the decades of service to the Aboriginal Lands Trust. My sincere condolences to Mr Wilson's family for the loss of your beloved family member. Garnie Wilson will be sadly missed.