The legacy of highly respected former Northern Territory minister Elliot McAdam AM has been celebrated by his family and friends at a state memorial held in Alice Springs on Thursday.
The former member for Barkly, who served in the NT Legislative Assembly between 2001 and 2008, died in August aged 72.
Born in Elliot — a small town halfway between Darwin and Alice Springs — Mr McAdam began his schooling in the territory, before moving to Perth.
He subsequently pursued higher education in Adelaide, earning a diploma in community development.
Mr McAdam spent several years as general manager of the Julalikari Aboriginal Council before entering parliament, where he became the minister for local government and housing in 2005.
Friends, family and former colleagues attended the state memorial service. (ABC News: Xavier Martin )
In an emotional address at his state memorial, Mr McAdam’s daughters, Ngara Keeler and Allira McAdam, paid tribute to their father’s “guiding voice and humour”.
“[Coming] from humble beginnings, dad had a remarkable character of strength and ability to make connections,” Ms McAdam said.
“He would want us to respect our bloodlines and stay connected … to our history, and to our elders past and present.”
Allira McAdam and Ngara Keeler speak at the state memorial of Eliot McAdam. (ABC News: Xavier Martin)
Ms Keeler said the siblings were proud of the mark Mr McAdam had made on the world.
“He gave us his greatest gift, which was his time, but in between we had to share him with the people of the Territory,” she said.
“We just wish we had more time with him.”
His niece, Terry Kessaris, remembered Mr McAdam as a “giver” who “never asked for anything”.
“As I rang around family … this was something that came up all the time,” she said.
‘He was magic’
Mr McAdam’s nephew, Greg McAdam, remembered him returning to Alice Springs from Perth “as a young man with his Bob Dylan albums and John Lennon glasses”.
“We looked up to him … he was magic,” he said.
“Uncle played a really important role in all our lives – he was always there for us when we needed him.
“His generosity came in many forms, whether it was his love, his guidance or when we were desperate for a loan.”
Elliot McAdam played a big role in the life of his nephew, Greg McAdam. (ABC News: Greg McAdam)
A man of principle who genuinely cared
Family and friends also paid tribute to Mr McAdam’s dedication to improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
He began his career with the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement in South Australia, later working as a director at the Aboriginal Health Organisation in Adelaide.
Through the 1980s, he pushed for the development of the Aboriginal community-controlled health services in Central Australia and South Australia.
Mr McAdam remained a strong advocate for the Barkly region throughout his life, making notable strides in addressing substance abuse.
The memorial was held at Traeger Park in Alice Springs. (ABC News: Xavier Martin )
He went on to chair the region’s alcohol and drug rehabilitation facility, also serving for several years as a board member of the Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation.
In 2015, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his contribution to both the Barkly community and Northern Territory parliament.
On behalf of several of McAdam’s coworkers and friends, former NT chief minister Clare Martin remembered him as “a man of principle and integrity” who “genuinely cared”.
“In caucus … Elliot would often remind his colleagues about the importance of being team players, with quiet but firm words,” she said.
“When he spoke, he was listened to.
“His wisdom was always valued.”
NT Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro and Opposition Leader Selena Uibo were among other politicians attending the state memorial, and paid tribute to Mr McAdam’s fierce principles.
Lia Finocchiaro spoke at the memorial. (ABC News: Xavier Martin )
