One sunny day in the remote north-east Arnhem Land outstation of Dhuruputjpi, the Wirrpanda family continues to wait. It’s been a staggering 90 years since their beloved leader, Dhäkiyarr Wirrpanda, vanished into thin air. The mystery surrounding his disappearance in 1934 still haunts his descendants.
Family’s Painful Wait
Dhukal Wirrpanda, the grandson of Dhäkiyarr, reflects with sorrow on the decades-long search for answers: “We’ve been waiting since 1934… We lost our leader and all his wisdom.” The family’s plea for closure echoes through generations as they seek truth and justice.
The tale dates back to a tumultuous period in 1933-34 when a tragic chain of events unfolded, shaking Australia to its core. It began with the killing of Japanese fishers in Arnhem Land and escalated when Dhäkiyarr confronted a police officer who had mistreated women from his community.
A Story of Injustice
As tensions flared, violence erupted, leading to the fatal spearing of the police constable by Dhäkiyarr. This act triggered a national outcry and set off a cultural clash that reverberated across the country. The aftermath saw calls for punitive action against Indigenous communities, reminiscent of past atrocities like the Coniston massacre in 1928.
Despite efforts by missionaries to mediate and bring Yolngu men including Dhäkiyarr to face trial in Darwin, justice was swift but flawed. Following an unfair conviction for murder, public outrage led to an appeal that overturned the verdict just days before his mysterious disappearance.
Unanswered Questions
The recent NT coroner’s report sheds light on two possible scenarios regarding Dhäkiyarr’s fate: either he perished while trying to return home alone or he met a darker end at the hands of those seeking retribution. His family remains adamant that he wouldn’t have ventured back without assistance after being freed.
Dhukal Wirrpanda questions why no one ensured his grandfather’s safe return: “Darwin is far – he needed help coming home.” Disheartened by ongoing uncertainties and official findings dismissing care or custody over Dhäkiyarr before his demise, the family demands accountability and closure after nine decades of grief.
In their quest for truth and justice spanning nearly a century, the Wirrpanda family seeks solace and resolution as they continue to honor their lost ancestor’s memory amidst lingering shadows from Australia’s oldest cold case.
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