Ernest Hoolihan
2021
Male Elder of the Year Award
Uncle Ernest Hoolihan was born in the far-north Queensland town of Ingham, later moving to Townsville with his family. There he became the first Indigenous person to attain a scholarship with the Townsville Grammar School.
A keen athlete, Ernest had a passion for many sports including Athletics, football and table tennis.
In 1973, Ernest and his late wife Maud established Yumba-Meta Limited, a service that provides long term affordable accommodation to disadvantage people.
Today he continues to make significant contributions to the advancement of individual wellbeing in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.