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Gurindji Wave Hill Walk Off Route
Permanent Declaration
Place
The route stretches approximately 20 kilometres between the former Wave Hill Pastoral Station, Kalkarindji and the current Aboriginal Community of Daguragu. The route begins at the former Wave Hill homestead and is part of the Wave Hill Pastoral Station (NT Portion 2653). Approximately 9 kilometres west of the former homestead the route crosses into Aboriginal freehold land (NT Portion 2395). The route then passes through the administrative boundaries of Kalkarindji (Lot 121), before passing again onto Daguragu Aboriginal Land (NT Portion 2395). The route ends within the Daguragu Aboriginal Community, at the hand over site.
The Gurindji Wave Hill Walk Off Route is significant as a reminder of events that shaped the course of Aboriginal affairs in modern Australian history. In August 1966, Vincent Lingiari and Gurindji Aboriginal people employed on Wave Hill Pastoral Station in the Victoria River region `walked off' in protest over their maltreatment, low wages, poor conditions and, at a broader level, the dispossession of their traditional lands by European pastoralists.

The Wave Hill walk off marked the beginning of a nine year struggle by the Gurindji that would gain national exposure and culminate in the symbolic hand back of their land on 16th August 1975 by then Prime Minster Gough Whitlam and passing of the 1976 Aboriginal Land Rights Act (Northern Territory). During this struggle the Gurindji people camped at multiple places along the route between the Wave Hill Station Homestead and Wattie Creek, the current location of Daguragu Community.

25/01/1993
15/02/1993
31/03/2006
Comment sought
10/08/2006
27/10/2006
23/08/2006
H93/0001
Historic & Indigenous
Original nomination for Walk-off Camp Site. After consultation with Gurindji (Resolution 48.5) nomination reassessed as a Route incorpoarting 7 RNE places. Route between former WH Hstead to Daguragu. Assessment considerd at 65th Meeting 31/03/06.
Photo
   
NameDescriptionDate Added
ViewDaguraguHandoverSite 220306_LR1.JPGDaguragu Handover Site28/JUL/21
ViewFirstCampTree 220306_LR1.jpgFirst Camp Tree28/JUL/21
ViewGordy Creek 220306_LR1.JPGGordy Creek28/JUL/21
ViewVicRiverCamp 220306_LR1.JPGVictoria River28/JUL/21
ViewWalkoffFenceline 220306_LR1.JPGFence line28/JUL/21
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Scan
   
NameDescriptionDate Added
ViewInstrument.pdf - 11/FEB/09
1 - 1
Further Information
   
no data found
Approximate Location
   
LAIS KeyStreet NumberStreet NameSuburbLocation CodeLot NumberLTO PlanPartTenure
000 02395 38BUNTINEGURINDJI0002395 - - Freehold
000 02653 14160BUNTINEGURINDJI0002653 - - PPL
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Status Explanations
   

Nomination Period - a nomination has been accepted by Heritage Branch, but has not yet been accepted by the Heritage Council; OR a nomination has been accepted by the Heritage Council but the place/object has not yet been subject to a heritage assessment.

Assessment Period - a nomination has been accepted by the Heritage Council and the place/object is in the process of being assessed.

Consultation Period - Heritage assessment has been completed and s24 of the Act has been instigated, ie comment has been sought on a proposal to declare the place/object.

Recommendation Period - the Heritage Council has made a recommendation to declare the place/object and the Minister's final decision is awaited.

Not Recommended - a decision has been made by the Heritage Council not to recommend to the Minister that a place/object be declared

Declared - the Minister has made a decision to declare the place/object

Refused - the Minister has refused to declare the place/object