Flag announcement: Reverend Dr D Gondarra OAM (1945 - 2024)

The Northern Territory Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet advises that a State Memorial for Reverend Dr D Gondarra OAM will take place at 11am on Thursday, 29 August 2024 at the Nungalinya College, 72 Dripstone Road, Nakara, Northern Territory.

Rev Dr Gondarra was a Yolŋu man and pioneering Aboriginal leader, who dedicated his life to fighting for the freedom and justice of his people. Notable achievements in his extensive career include serving as the chairman of the Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation for more than 30 years, and becoming Australia’s first ever Aboriginal Methodist minister.

In 1995, Rev Dr Gondarra was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the Uniting Church and the Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress.

As a mark of mourning and respect, the Australian National Flag should be flown at half-mast all day on Thursday, 29 August 2024 in the Northern Territory only from all buildings and establishments occupied by Australian Government departments and affiliated agencies. Other organisations are welcome to participate.

  • When flying the Australian National Flag with other flags, all flags in the set should be flown at half-mast.
  • If a set of flags includes the flags of other nations, it would be appropriate to seek permission from the diplomatic representatives of that nation to half-mast their flag. 
  • An acceptable half-mast position would be when the top of the flag is a third of the distance down from the top of the flagpole.
  • Information on flag protocol is available on the Department's website. 

Your assistance is appreciated.

Commonwealth Flag Officer