A memorial service was held on Friday, 15th July for former East Arnhem Regional Council Councillor and community leader, Mr. D Marika at the Yirrkala Church.

Mr. D Marika who passed away earlier this year, was fondly remembered by family, friends and those he endlessly laboured with to strengthen the East Arnhem communities and homelands.

No matter the relationship to Mr. D Marika, he was often mentioned as a ‘strong leader’, ‘honest’ and ‘loving’; a man who possessed an ‘infectious’ laugh and a ‘cheeky’ grin by speakers who were invited to share by Mr. D Marika’s widow, Marrpalawuy Marika.

Marrpalawuy Marika spoke with strength and passion of her commitment as a newly elected Councillor.

EARC President Lapulung Dhamarrandji said, “He encouraged me to stand for President of the Council. This man of integrity stood for the Sovereign rights of his people. We need to understand this chapter, regardless of our colour and stand in solidarity and walk alongside to enhance breakthroughs. I stand the same way to take my people to the next level and continue the legacy of my brother.”

EARC Chief Executive Officer Dale Keehne mentioned in his tribute, how Mr. D Marika was walking further down the Road to Recognition for Land Rights of his father, to the Road to Recognition of Aboriginal Controlled Regional Government – to a Yolngu Sovereign Government. “In all his work, with Rirratjingu, Miwatj, the Community School, Church, Council and Local Authority – he showed and lived by his firm conviction, that we must all be in this together, ‘Yolngu ga Yolngu, Yolngu ga Balanda’. Mr. Marika showed us a path we can all walk on together; to build a better and beautiful life for all Australians, Yolngu and Balanda,” he added.

Mr. D Marika’s funeral service is planned for 19th July 2022 at the Gangan homeland where he will be laid to rest.

He will be missed, but never forgotten.