The Central Australian community is in mourning following the death of one of its most respected Aboriginal leaders, Geoffrey Shaw OAM. The Kaytetye and Arrernte man, a decorated Vietnam War veteran and a pivotal architect of the land rights movement, passed away in Alice Springs on Thursday at the age of 79.
From the Todd Riverbed to the Battlefields of Vietnam
Geoffrey Shaw was born in the dry bed of the Todd River in 1945. His remarkable journey of service began at the age of 18 in 1964 when he enlisted in the Australian Army. He served with distinction for 18 months during the Indonesian-Malaysian confrontation as a commander with the 4th Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment.
Shaw later joined the 2nd Royal Australian Regiment, undertaking two tours of duty in Vietnam after Australia entered the conflict. His military career was marked by bravery and leadership; he was eventually transferred to the 9th Battalion after sustaining a battlefield injury, where he served as a section commander and acting platoon sergeant until the early 1970s.
A Founding Force for Aboriginal Land Rights
Upon returning home, Shaw settled in the Mount Nancy town camp in Alice Springs and channeled his discipline and sense of duty into advocacy for his people. He became a founding member of the Central Land Council (CLC), an organisation established following the landmark Woodward Royal Commission into Aboriginal land rights.
From the CLC's inception in the mid-1970s until 2006, Shaw served as a dedicated delegate, most recently holding the position of deputy chair. Between 1973 and 1975, he attended the crucial meetings that shaped the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976, a foundational piece of legislation.
His leadership extended beyond the CLC. Shaw was a former president of the Tangentyere Council, which supports Alice Springs town camps, and served as the first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) commissioner for Central Australia. In 1993, his immense community service was recognised with an Order of Australia medal.
A Legacy of Leadership and Unwavering Advocacy
Tributes have flowed for a man described as a mentor and a principled champion. The current CLC chair, Warren Williams, praised Shaw's lifelong dedication. "Mr Shaw believed deeply in service. To country, to community and to the nation," Williams said. "His military service shaped his discipline, leadership and strong sense of responsibility, all of which he carried into his work with the CLC."
Williams emphasised that Shaw's powerful legacy would inspire future generations to continue the struggle for justice, equality, and the recognition of Aboriginal rights.
The Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, said she was "deeply saddened" by his passing, calling him a "fierce and principled champion who always stood up for what was right".
Kevin Rockemer, secretary of the Alice Springs Returned and Services League, confirmed Shaw was a long-time member who would be "well-remembered amongst those of us in the RSL," with the organisation offering support to his family.
Geoffrey Shaw's life, which began in the riverbed of the Todd, spanned military service, transformative political advocacy, and relentless community leadership, leaving an indelible mark on Central Australia and the fight for Aboriginal rights.
