Image - Lurujarri Dreaming

Image – Lurujarri Dreaming

The formidable Walmadany (James Price Point) campaigner, Senior Law Boss, Mr Roe has died. Mr Roe leaves behind his partner, his two children, his mother, a matriarch of her people, Teresa Roe and his brother and fellow Walmadany campaigner Senior Law Boss Phillip Roe.

The 47-year-old Goolaroobooloo legend died in Perth’s Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital after being transferred a couple of weeks ago from Broome Hospital following a cardiac arrest.

The Senior Law Boss  went into cardiac arrest in Broome earlier this month and was transferred to Perth’s Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital.

His brother was at his side when he died.

The brothers contributed significantly to the opposition of the State Government’s Gas Hub proposal, giving up their jobs and years to protect Country, camping and fishing grounds, Songlines, and the pristine environment of the Kimberley coast just north of Broome. The gave no respite to the Government and it is fair to comment that without them, and other Goolarabooloo such as Richard Hunter, that the venture may have proceeded. They cast an inspiring presence during the campaign over nearly three years.

Two and half years ago the brothers established Walmadany Tent Embassy and it remains there to this day, right near the Browse Basin where the proposed Gas hub was intended.

Mr Roe had once said to me that Country meant everything and like his older brother he would fight for it to the death.

“I will die for this Country. It has taken care of us for thousands of years and our children and their children deserve the same right.”

Despite the victory over the State Government when the Woodside joint venture led partners pulled the pin on the Gas Hub proposal both he and his brother both said to me that they were elated but also that they would remain cautious because they did not trust the State Government from attempting a future coup to industrialise the Kimberley.

News of his passing has reached right throughout the Kimberley.