Stephen Gadlabarti Goldsmith
“Aboriginal leader Stephen Goldsmith remembered as fighter for Indigenous culture”
Stephen Gadlabarti Goldsmith was warm and strove for justice for his people.(ABC Radio Adelaide: Brett Williamson - used with family's permission) (Image courtesy of ABC News)
Gadlabarti – the busy bee, the bee that does not sting.
It has been such a privilege for me to have worked with Gadlabarti over the last 5 years. He was such a good role model and mentor for others in the KWP Team, though admin wasn’t his strong suite. He was able to make people believe in their own abilities through his gentle encouragement.
In many ways, Gadlabarti became one of the main public faces of the Kaurna language movement with his live performances at WoMAD and numerous events around town. He was also the main character in several of our Kaurna Language Learning YouTube clips and was Kurraka ‘magpie’ in the Pirltawardli Puppet Show with that engaging raucous laugh of his. He was equally at home in front of the camera as he was behind it.
Gadlabarti had the ability to connect at a deep level with individuals on a one-to-one basis and with audiences large and small. He had a way with words – Mr Indigenuity himself. We often had lunch together, and one of my enduring memories I have is that if a cleaner was in the vicinity he would always engage them and apologise for the mess we were leaving behind (not that it was a big mess). He never looked down on people. He treated everyone as equals and with respect.
We have many fond memories of our dear friend and colleague and share a great many of the causes he was so passionate about – justice for his own people, restoration of the Kaurna language, rights and freedom for the people of West Papua, Sea Shepherd, to name just a few. He will always occupy a very special place within our hearts (or is it livers).
Ngaityu yungantalya! (Thank you dear brother)
Wanti pilyurnirna. (Rest in peace)
Rob Amery (on behalf of KWP) July 2017
Key points:
Stephen Gadlabarti Goldsmith has passed away unexpectedly.
He was a central pillar of KWP and will be sorely missed.
He is being remembered as a fierce fighter for his language and culture.