He served in the Northern Territory Parliament for 12 years before retiring in August this year due to ill-health. Of these, the most significant was the Sessional Committee on Constitutional Development where he championed the recognition of Aboriginal customary law. An elder of the Wangurri clan, Galirri'mun was born at Gallwinku, on Elcho Island, Arnhem Land, on 1 November 1952. He was a champion footballer in his youth, and attended Darwin High School and Kormilda College where he first played for the Wanderers Football Club. On behalf of the Council, Chairperson Mr Patrick Dodson extends his deepest sympathy to the Dhurrkay family and to Galirri'mun's friends and colleagues for their loss.
Aboriginal lore forbids the publication of the given name and photograph of a deceased person.
Galirri'mun is the respectful and honoured name to use for a member of the Wangurri clan at this time. The resolution was adopted at the full plenary session of the Second General Assembly of Australian Local Government, convened by the Australian Local Government Association in Canberra during November. The vision statement will be included in the National Agenda for Australian Local Government which defines Local Government policy from a national perspective.