National NAIDOC 2004 Award Winners

Bill Mallard - Charles Perkins Award

Bill Mallard presently lives on the Barrell Well Community in Western Australia.

Bill’s commitment to Indigenous affairs and to local community development spans some 32 years.

He was responsible for establishing the first Aboriginal organisation in Geraldton known as the Boomerang Council. The council became a base for all forms of Indigenous representation in the local area and established a reputation as the place for raising awareness of the needs of the local community.

A pioneer for access and participation for his Indigenous community to services such as health and accommodation for the elderly, Bill lobbied the government successfully for the establishment of an Aboriginal Medical service an Aboriginal Hostel in Geraldton and pensioner flats.

Bill’s commitment to the needs of his people and to land rights was at the fore when he squatted on land known as Barrel Well.

Bill successfully won the land against all the odds and today Barrell Well is a respected and well run community made up of Bill’s friends and family. Testament to the success of Barrell Well as a well managed and maintained community is the achievement of winning the cleanest community award in Western Australia.

Bill has rallied, lobbied and truly made a difference for his people achieving real outcomes during difficult times when people were still living in cars, camps and tents and under tin sheets in his community. Bill worked to establish a place for them to go and a forum to voice their concerns.