Rick Griffiths

Rick Griffiths
Born 1948
Curlewis, Gunnedah, NSW
Died 13 December 2010 (aged 62)
Maitland, New South Wales
Cause of death Lung cancer
Residence Maitland, New South Wales
Nationality Australian
Occupation Chief Executive
Employer Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council
Title Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commissioner
Term 2002–2005
Spouse(s) Robyn
Children Five

Rick Griffiths (1948 – 13 December 2010)[1] was an Australian Aboriginal activist and representative. He was the CEO of the Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council and one of the final Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commissioners prior to the abolition of the Commission.

Background

Griffiths was born in 1948 in the town of Curlewis, outside Gunnedah, New South Wales. He subsequently moved to the Hunter Region where he lived for the rest of his life. Griffiths was a passionate rugby league player, coach and administrator and was responsible for establishing coaching camps for young Aboriginal players.[2] He also established an Aboriginal rugby league coaching clinic at the University of Newcastle, producing up to 60 Aboriginal coaches, with many going on to become prominent coaches in their own communities.[3]

Career

Griffiths became involved in Aboriginal affairs in 1982 when he co-ordinated the Aboriginal Home Care pilot program.[3]

He was subsequently appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council in 1992,[4] considered by government to be the best of the 119 land councils.[5] In his capacity as CEO, Griffiths became involved in deliberations concerning land development[6] and mining on Aboriginal lands.[7]

In 2002, Griffiths was elected to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) as Commissioner for the Eastern Zone.[8] He remained in that position until ATSIC was abolished by the Howard Government in 2005.[9]

In 2005, an image of Griffiths was printed on local school "currency" used to train students about the value of money.[10]

In 2007, Griffiths was described in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly as "a man of vast experience and great ability who has long championed the cause of Aboriginal Australians."[11]

In late 2010 Griffiths was diagnosed with lung cancer. He died on 13 December 2010.

References

  1. ↑ "Former ATSIC commissioner Griffiths dies". abc.net.au. 14 December 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  2. ↑ "Proud Aboriginal bridged the gap". maitlandmercury.com.au. 17 December 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  3. 1 2 "A land rights legend passes on". alc.org.au. 14 December 2010. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  4. ↑ Hardie, Alan (22 December 2010). "Aboriginal community farewells its leader and 'hero'". maitlandmercury.com.au. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  5. ↑ Price, Roger (1 June 2000). "Maitland Electorate Corroboree 2000 Celebrations". parliament.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  6. ↑ "ICAC to probe Aboriginal land developments". abc.net.au. 3 November 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  7. ↑ "Community Consultative Committee". doncoal.com.au. 2009. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  8. ↑ "Griffiths to take up ATSIC commissioner position". abc.net.au. 5 December 2002. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  9. ↑ "No ATSIC, no black voice". nit.com.au. 3 February 2005. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  10. ↑ Swain, Emma (21 May 2005). "Famous faces grace new school money". maitlandmercury.com.au. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
  11. ↑ Terenzini, Frank (8 June 2007). "Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council". parliament.nsw.gov.au. Retrieved 12 January 2011.
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