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Top 10 Interesting Facts about Vincent Lingiari

An Artwork Of Vincent Lingiari. Photo by: Peter Ellis.

Vincent Lingiari was an Australian Aboriginal right activist and member of the Gurindji people. He was born on 13th June 1908 in Victoria River George, Northern Territory.

Vincent began his early life as a stockman at Wave Hill Station where the payment was so mere. He was among the Gurindji people whose pay was on rations, tobacco and clothing.

The Gurindji people used to call out for changes in payment and improving working conditions, but their pleas were never heard. Vincent was elected to become the leader of these workers in August 1966.

He led his fellow workers to protest the poor treatment they got at the work station which was famously known as Wave Hill Walk-Off. Later on, Vincent was named a member of the Order of Australia for his great services to the Aboriginal people.

Below are the top 10 Interesting Facts about Vincent Lingiari:

1. Vincent Earned Poor Remuneration at Wave Hill Station

Coming from an Aboriginal background, Vincent Lingiari also worked at the Wave Hill Station where several others were employed. He worked as a stockman at this station as a young man.

However, he used to earn poor remuneration from the hectic work he did. His earnings were of rations, sometimes tobacco and clothing which did not suit his needs.

2. Vincent was a Great Didgeridoo Player

Other than being a stockman at Wave Hill Station, Vincent Lingiari had his talents. He was a lover of music.

Vincent Lingiari was a great didgeridoo player who used to play it during his free time and on various occasions.

3. Vincent Led Protests Demanding for Return of Gurindji Land

Several Gurindji people had lost their traditional land to the British pastoral company Vesteys. The British pastoral company never allowed the natives to own the lands which was not a good thing.

After Vincent Lingiari was elected as the leader of the Wave Hill Station workers, he led the people in several protests. One of the protests was to demand the return of their traditional lands.

The protesters established the Wattie Creek camp where their demands were being aired from. Vincent spoke on the demand for the return of the land by stating:
鈥淲e want to live on our land, our way.鈥� This major protest was the beginning of the eight years fight by the Gurindji people to obtain their lands.

4. Vincent Led his People in the Wave Hill Walk-Off

In early 1966, Vincent Lingiari was hospitalised for quite some time before he returned to Wave Hill Station to continue with his duties. In August of the same year, the workers at Wave Hill Station elected him as their leader.

Vincent then led the workers to a massive protest that was known as Wave Hill Walk-Off. This was in protest of the poor working conditions and poor pay at their workstations.

The Wave Hill Walk-Off was also known as the Gurindji strike where hundreds of the workers downed their working tools. The protests went on for another seven years until their demands were met.

5. He Co-Wrote a Song at the Height of Wave Hill Walk-Off

The Aboriginal people led by Vincent Lingiari never gave up on pushing for their rights to be heard by the government and British pastoral companies. In 1969, Vincent Lingiari teamed up with Ted Egan to write a crucial song.

He co-wrote the song 鈥楾he Gurindji Blues鈥� which was a major hit. In this song, Vincent and Ted openly aired out the challenges the Gurindji people were going through.

6. Vincent Became Part of Symbolic Event in Australian History

The fight to get back the Gurindji traditional land lasted for seven years. Vincent Lingiari and his fellow people never gave up on getting their rights on owning their lands.

After several negotiations between the government, various stakeholders and the locals led by Vincent Lingiari, an agreement was made. In 1975, Vincent Lingiari became part of a symbolic event that was led by Prime Minister Gough Whitlam.

During this important event, the Prime Minister took some local sand and poured it into the hands of Vincent Lingiari. This symbolically meant that a small part of the land at the Wave Hill Station was handed to the Gurindji people.

This important and symbolic moment was captured in a photograph and purchased by National Portrait Gallery. It is displayed in the Old Parliament House of Australia.

7. Vincent Attended the Annual Walk-Off Until his Death

The leadership of Vincent Lingiari in the fight for his people鈥檚 rights was so crucial in Australia. Even though there was an agreement in place with the government, the walk-off never ceased to take place annually.

Vincent Lingiari attended the Gurindji鈥檚 annual re-enactment of walk-off until he passed away on 21st January 1988.

8. Vincent was Named as a Member of the Order of Australia

The fight for the rights of the Aboriginal people led by Vincent Lingiari could not go unnoticed by the government of Australia. Vincent Lingiari played a major role in ensuring that the rights of the Gurindji people were met equally.

On 7th June 1976, Vincent Lingiari was honoured by the government of Australia. He was named a Member of the Order of Australia.

9. Vincent Lingiari Married One Wife and had 8 Children

Other than fighting for the rights of the Aboriginal people, Vincent Lingiari also had his personal life. He was married to one wife who was known as Blanche Nangi.

Vincent Lingiari and Blanche Nangi were blessed with eight children. The lives of the eight children of Vincent are not known that much.

10. Australia鈥檚 Largest Electorates Named after Vincent

The legacies of Vincent Lingiari earned him more recognition across Australia. One of the greatest recognition is the naming of Australia鈥檚 largest electorates after him.

The division of Lingiari comprises nearly the whole of the Northern Territory, Christmas Island and Cocos Islands. They also extended towards Daguragu and traditional Gurindji lands.

Vincent Lingiari will always be honoured and remembered for the great deeds of fighting for the rights of the oppressed Gurindji people.