The Kimberley Land Council has acknowledged the sad passing of founding member and inaugural Chairman Mr Chulung, and extended their sincere condolences to his family.
Known as Wangaloo - "Brave One" - Mr Chulung was elected as Chairman of the KLC, along with Co-Chairman Jimmy Bieundurry, on 20 May 1978, at a gathering of more than 1000 Kimberley Aboriginal people at Noonkanbah.
A trailblazer and advocate, Mr Chulung stood up to those who were opposed to Aboriginal rights and aspirations through his leadership of the KLC, and his many years working at the Aboriginal Legal Service (ALS).
Living most of his life in Wyndham and Kununurra, he was re-elected to the Chairman's role in 1987, leading the KLC's response to the Royal Commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody and the KLC's opposition to the 1988 bicentennial celebrations.
Current Kimberley Land Council Chair, Anthony Watson, said Mr Chulung "was a leader that got behind Aboriginal legal rights during his days at the ALS and came to Noonkanbah to talk about our rights from his experience".
"He wanted to help his mob and he wanted to be involved with the land council. It was like starting up a vehicle, without really knowing where you're going, but you know there's a long road to come."
In honour of Mr Chulung's legacy, and with permission from his family, the Council shared these images from the KLC archives.
