The Mornington Island community welcomed rugby league identity Scott Prince to the island on Tuesday to help commemorate its 16th Memorial Day.
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One of the most important days on their calendar, Memorial Day pays respect to the five people from Mornington, Bentinck and Forsyth Islands who lost their lives in a horrific plane crash on November 24, 1999.
The Cessna 206 charter plane was carrying Lelkandu Nelson Gavenor, 63, of the Yangkaal People, Andrew Marmies, 60, of the Lardil People, Olive Loogatha, 46, of the Kaiadilt People, and brothers Graham Wilson, 34 and Gavin Wilson, 19, of the Lardil People, when it struck horrific weather and went down into the sea near the Wellesley Islands.
The life of pilot Andrew Anthonisz, 21, was also lost.
They were leaders in their communities and members of the Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (CLCAC), committed to regaining control and legal rights to their traditional country.
The plane was carrying them to Normanton for a Land Council Meeting to discuss the High Court’s ruling against the removal of a mooring buoy that disrespected the cultural significance to the Kaiadilt people of Bentinck Island.
A council spokeswoman said the day was gaining in significance with each passing year, and provided a sombre reminder that the youngest of those lost would have been 35 this year.
Some 300 children enjoyed a day with a health and sports focus with Scott Prince, whose visit to the island was made possible by funding from the Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing.
Two giant indigenous flag cakes, measuring 150cm x 80cm each, were made to cater for a crowd of 1000, and the day concluded with dancing on the Gunana foreshore and the floating of lanterns on the sea.
