Thursday, February 27, 2014

James Price Point Aboriginal cultural leader passes away - ABC Kimberley WA - Australian Broadcasting Corporation

James Price Point Aboriginal cultural leader passes away - ABC Kimberley WA - Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Sunrise in Broome this morning. Damian Kelly Image
He was best known as the face of Aboriginal opposition to gas processing at James Price Point north of Broome, and for being a grandson of celebrated Broome cultural leader, Paddy Roe.

Tributes have flowed today for the man from the Australian Greens with Senator Rachel Siewert expressing deep sadness at the man's passing.

"His courage in fighting the James Price Point Gas hub proposal was inspiring and his leadership was a key to the success of the campaign," she said today.
"His work will long be remembered and respected across Australia. It is a great shame to lose a leader at such an early age. He will be greatly missed."
"I offer sincere condolences to his family, friends and community."

4 comments:

  1. RIP sincere condolences to family and followers.

    ...


    Many years ago when I was young I read many books by Meher Baba who was an Indian spiritual master who said he was the Avatar - God in human form.

    In the '80's in Broome I found "Reading the Country" among a load of books at Father Macs.
    I hadn't found anything for a long time that effected me the way reading this book did.

    One thing I realised was that I was among world class spiritual beings - the equal of any anywhere.

    ...


    Will be remembered always and his fight will live on in all of us.

    Rest in Peace

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  2. Reported around the world - most have the Andrew Burrell story from the Australian.

    ..



    James Price Point campaigner Mr Roe dies

    ANDREW BURRELL |
    The Australian |
    February 27, 2014


    The 47-year-old Goolaroobooloo elder, known only as Mr Roe for cultural reasons, went into cardiac arrest in Broome earlier this month and was transferred to Perth’s Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

    It is understood Mr Roe’s brain was deprived of oxygen and he was unable to breathe without the aid of a respirator. His family — including his brother, fellow law man Phillip Roe — had been by his side in hospital.

    Mr Roe campaigned for several years against Woodside’s planned natural gas plant at James Price Point, 50km north of Broome, and was involved in several legal attempts to halt the project on cultural and heritage grounds.

    The dispute pitted him against West Australian Premier Colin Barnett, Woodside and other Aboriginal traditional owners.

    As the law boss and custodian for the Northern Tradition, Mr Roe said he had responsibility for protecting the integrity of a songline that runs directly through the area.

    Woodside announced last year it would not go ahead with plans to build the plant at James Price Point, citing economic reasons.

    A Broome-based indigenous leader, Anne Poelina, last night acknowledged the leadership that Mr Roe had shown throughout his life in maintaining the ancient traditions passed to him from his grandfather.

    “It was his deep knowledge and respect for law which helped him in his leadership for the protection of James Price Point,” she said.

    “He will be deeply missed by all people who love the Kimberley.”

    Mr Roe is survived by his partner and two children.



    ..............





    Sorry Business - Senior Kimberley Law Boss
    Posted on February 27, 2014
    By Warren Barnsley/Michelle Tuahine/Gerry Georgatos


    Sorry Business ceremony is taking place throughout the Kimberley region today, following the news of the passing of a senior law boss of the Goolaroobooloo people.

    The law man, referred to as Mr Roe, had campaigned tirelessly for several years against Woodside Petroleum's planned natural gas plant at James Price Point, 50km north of Broome.

    Mr Roe and his brother, fellow law man Phillip Roe set up a tent embassy on the site, naming it Walmadany – the traditional Goolaroobooloo name for the James Price Point area.

    .



    ............




    Death of Indigenous environmental campaigner


    Tributes have been paid to a key Indigenous figure in one of Western Australia's fiercest environmental battles.

    By Murray Silby

    Tributes have been paid to a key figure in one of Western Australia's fiercest environmental battles.

    Mr Roe, who was one of the leaders of Indigenous opposition to a proposed LNG processing plant at James Price Point in the state's north-west, has passed away in Perth.

    Mr Roe strongly opposed the proposal due to the cultural damage it would cause for his people in the region.


    ..............

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  3. http://thestringer.com.au/senior-law-boss-walmadany-campaigner-mr-roe-has-passed-away/#.UxGCeMKQ99A



    Senior Law Boss, Walmadany campaigner Mr Roe has passed away

    by Gerry Georgatos

    February 27th, 2014
    .


    The formidable Walmadany (James Price Point) campaigner, Senior Law Boss, Mr Roe has died. Mr Roe leaves behind his partner, his two children, his mother, a matriarch of her people, Teresa Roe and his brother and fellow Walmadany campaigner Senior Law Boss Phillip Roe.

    The 47-year-old Goolaroobooloo legend died in Perth’s Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital after being transferred a couple of weeks ago from Broome Hospital following a cardiac arrest.

    The Senior Law Boss went into cardiac arrest in Broome earlier this month and was transferred to Perth’s Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

    His brother was at his side when he died.

    The brothers contributed significantly to the opposition of the State Government’s Gas Hub proposal, giving up their jobs and years to protect Country, camping and fishing grounds, Songlines, and the pristine environment of the Kimberley coast just north of Broome. The gave no respite to the Government and it is fair to comment that without them, and other Goolarabooloo such as Richard Hunter, that the venture may have proceeded. They cast an inspiring presence during the campaign over nearly three years.

    Two and half years ago the brothers established Walmadany Tent Embassy and it remains there to this day, right near the Browse Basin where the proposed Gas hub was intended.

    Mr Roe had once said to me that Country meant everything and like his older brother he would fight for it to the death.

    “I will die for this Country. It has taken care of us for thousands of years and our children and their children deserve the same right.”

    Despite the victory over the State Government when the Woodside joint venture led partners pulled the pin on the Gas Hub proposal both he and his brother both said to me that they were elated but also that they would remain cautious because they did not trust the State Government from attempting a future coup to industrialise the Kimberley.

    News of his passing has reached right throughout the Kimberley.

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    Replies
    1. Can't help thinking of Mr. Douglas who passed away at the beginning of all this.Very sad.

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