In Memory of Kunmanara Mervyn 

This afternoon, Senator Liddle gave the following statement to the Senate:

I pay tribute today to the incredible life and contribution of South Australian Pitjantjatjara woman, Kunmanara Mervyn.

Kunmanara is the respectful reference for people of the Great Sandy Desert who have passed away.

Like so many women of the bush, her contribution is extraordinary, with immense intergenerational benefit for every single Australian.

Kunmanara is the epitome of who we must fight for. The quiet achievers whose voices need amplification. The most formidable, resilient yet at the same time the most vulnerable.

Born around 1945 Kunmanara’s homeland was Watarru, about 2000km north-west of Adelaide.

She was an esteemed ecologist; with knowledge revered by those with a long list of academic parchments and knew about the impact of working with western scientists.

A life spent on threatened species; itjari itjari (Marsupial mole); Nganamara (Mallee Fowl); Tjakara (Great Desert Skink) – the nocturnal, burrowing or evasive animals which don’t stand out but are critical to Australia’s ecosystem.

She was a master in traditional fire management that prevented wild-fires that threatened people, plants and animals and passing on culture – a sought-after Ngankari or traditional healer.

Kunmanara’s artworks tell Tjurkurpa (Dreaming) without western influence – her family collaborations hung in Paris and Sydney and in the South Australian Parliament.

This woman, like so many Pitjantjatjara, Yunkanytjara, Nganatjarara women, was a stand-out. Inspirational; awesome; credible and authentic. Like so many women with a similar story.

This weekend the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands celebrate the Land Rights Act coming into effect in 1981.

40 years ago, land was handed back but the predominant player remains government and that surely is catalyst enough for change.

While right to respect the past, it is timely to restore the foundation principles of aspiration, responsibility and improved governance for Anangu.

I note the APY celebration has been delayed many times but I wish the community well for this coming weekend.