FIVE MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT - H.C. NUGGET COOMBS MEMORIAL LECTURE - 3 OCTOBER 2019

Sep 15, 2026

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Speech text for the H.C. Nugget Coombs Memorial Lecture, delivered at Darwin on 3 October 2019. The speaker opens with Welcome to Country and an acknowledgement of the Larrakia Nation, then frames the talk around truth-telling, policy challenges for Indigenous Australians and Families and Social Services, defining debates for the 46th Parliament and a First Nations Voice to Parliament, and the legacy of Herbert Cole Nugget Coombs. Personal Wiradjuri story and historical context are used to underline connection to country and shared lessons.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryReligion & Spirituality

FormatPDF

Pages17

Reading Time43 min

AccessFree to download

FIVE MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT

Welcome to Country and acknowledgement of Country

Purpose and four themes of the lecture

Personal Wiradjuri story and historical context

Truth-telling and connection to country

Herbert Coombs legacy and way forward

FIVE MINUTES TO MIDNIGHT H.C. NUGGET COOMBS MEMORIAL LECTURE DARWIN-THURSDAY, 3 OCTOBER 2019 Ballumb ambol Larrakia yindamarra Ngudu-yirra bang marrang. We gather this evening on the lands of the Larrakia Nation. In acknowledging the Larrakia let us honour and remind ourselves of your care and custodianship of country. I do this in my language – that of the Wiradjuri Nation of South West New South Wales. Larrikia – a country that extends from Cox Peninsula in the west, to Gunn Point in the north, Adelaide River in the east and down to the Manton Dam area in the south. Like all First Nations the Larrakia’s story is as ancient as it is modern. Larrikia continue to practice and preserve stories and culture; and continue to care for the land and water around us. Thank you. I recognise this evening, Richard Fejo, Chair of the Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation. And I thank you, Bilawara Lee, for your welcome, and for having us on your country. Welcome to country is a very old and an important ritual: Practiced for thousands of years by First Nations people when they go to other people’s countries, seeking permission, showing respect. When we acknowledge country, remind ourselves of the three handfuls: The handful of truth; the handful of social justice for First Nations people; and the handful of equality and justice for all. I am grateful to you all for attending the Nugget Coombs Memorial Lecture this evening. This lecture is presented in a partnership between the Australian National University and Charles Darwin University. I am acutely aware that this lecture is a major public event. I would like to recognise and thank Professor Brian Schmidt AC, the vice Chancellor of ANU for your invitation to present tonight. I am truly touched. Can I also recognise Professor Simon Maddocks, the Vice Chancellor of Charles Darwin University. I wish to acknowledge Council members and staff from both universities. Some of you I know personally. A very, very, special recognition of Professor the Hon. Gareth Evens AC QC. Gareth, I know this isone of your final official events as Chancellor and you will receive many accolades. Let me add to them. Tonight it is my intention to speak about four things. The first being a very consistent theme of mine but also one of the fundamental tenets of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and that is the importance, the art of truth-telling. I want to secondly focus on some of the policy challenges in my Shadow Portfolio of Indigenous Australians and Families and Social Services. Thirdly, I want to focus on what I believe to be the defining discussions for the 46th Parliament, and the enshrinement of a First Nations Voice to the Parliament. And finally, of course, to reflect on the story, values and legacy of Herbert Cole Nugget Coombs and the lessons he leaves us for the way forward for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians alike. However, before that, it is important from an Aboriginal worldview for you to be able to place me, and know a little of my story. In doing so I share a little of the Wiradjuri story. Wiradjuri territory is shaped like a fan. It sweeps across the catchments of the Lachlan, Macquarie and the Murrumbidgee Rivers. In the language of the Wiradjuri these three rivers are called Galari, Wambuul and Marrambidya. I am of the Marrambidya Wiradjuri. The Wiradjuri were the first inland nation to experience the brutality of British colonisation and invasion. The resistance of the mighty Wiradjuri leader Windradyne and his warriors was so strong that martial law was declared in Bathurst in 1823 – two thirds of the Wiradjuri around Bathurst were murdered – around 1,000 people or so – during the four months of martial law. To compound the damage even further, gold was discovered at Bathurst in 1851. Bruce Pascoe’s Dark Emu describes the way of life for the Wiradjuri prior to settlers. He says that it was possible for one to have drive

FAQs

What is the main theme the speaker emphasizes first in the lecture?

The speaker focuses on the importance and art of truth-telling, consistent with the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

Which parliamentary issue does the speaker discuss as one of the lecture’s defining topics?

The lecture addresses defining discussions for the 46th Parliament and the enshrinement of a First Nations Voice to Parliament.

How does the speaker use their own background in the talk?

The speaker shares a Wiradjuri story, describing territory, experiences of colonisation, and connections to country to frame truth and justice.

Sep 15, 2026

Upload by Patrick