Ronnie Wavehill
Ronnie Wavehill | |
|---|---|
| Born | c. 1936 Wave Hill Station, Northern Territory, Australia |
| Died | 20 May 2020 |
| Occupation(s) | Stockman, cultural storyteller, Indigenous cultural advisor, singer |
| Known for | Role in the Wave Hill walk-off, Gurindji language and culture advocacy |
Ronnie Wavehill, also recognized as Ronnie Wavehill Wirrpngayarri Jangala (circa 1936 – 20 May 2020), was a Gurindji stockman originally from Wave Hill Station, Northern Territory, Australia. He played a role in the Wave Hill walk-off and was known as a cultural storyteller, Indigenous cultural advisor, and singer.
Life in the Northern Territory
Wavehill was born to Cracker Jarluyarri Jampin and Mariah Yakngarri Nangari and was one of seven siblings. His early years were largely spent journeying on foot across Gurindji Country alongside his grandparents, following seasonal ceremonial gatherings and strengthening ties with both Country and community. This upbringing enabled him to attain a fluency in the Gurindji language that surpassed many of his contemporaries.
During these travels, Wavehill acquired Wanjiwanji (Laka) songs from Yawulyurru Tjapangarti, a Pintupi songman, which he later introduced at Wave Hill Station. These songs were transmitted among various language groups without altering the original lyrics. He recalled performing these songs publicly as a child, earning admiration from his community.
At age 10 in 1945, anthropologists Ronald and Catherine Berndt visited Wave Hill Station and documented the difficult living and working conditions endured by Aboriginal people there, including the unlawful employment of children under 12 such as Wavehill.
Until the Wave Hill walk-off protest—which challenged working conditions and sparked a wider campaign for Land Rights—Wavehill labored as an unpaid stockman. After the strike’s achievements, he took on roles as a rubbish collector for the councils of Daguragu and Kalkarindji.
In the 1990s, Wavehill partnered with linguists like Erika Charola and Felicity Meakins, contributing extensive knowledge of Gurindji language and culture. He supported scholarly publications as well as Native Title claims and activities related to Aboriginal Lands Trusts within the region.
Wavehill also gave testimony concerning historical massacres of Aboriginal people passed down through earlier generations. He named Owen Cummins as being involved in the Wave Hill Station Massacres occurring between 1920 and 1922.
Concerning the Blackfellows Knob Massacre at Tartarr, he recounted how Aboriginal individuals evaded mounted attackers by leveraging their superior running abilities.
Despite his awareness of past violence, Wavehill differentiated between people by stating there were "bad kartiya and good kartiya, bad ngumpin (Aboriginal people) and good ngumpin."
Wavehill passed away on 20 May 2020 on Gurindji Country. His Dreaming was Ngapa (Rain), and it is said that rain fell continuously for three days following his death.
Selected Publications
- Bilinarra, Gurindji and Malngin Plants and Animals (2012)
- Gurindji to English Dictionary (2013)
- Yijarni: True Stories from Gurindji Country (2016)
- Mayarni-kari Yurrk: More Stories from Gurindji Country (2016)
For a comprehensive bibliography, refer to AustLit.
Legacy
Wavehill was referenced by Pat Dodson during a motion condemning Fraser Anning after the Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand.