Rick Griffiths
Encyclopedia
Rick Griffiths was an Australian Aboriginal activist and representative. He was the CEO of the Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council and one of the final Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission
ers prior to the abolition of the Commission.
. He subsequently moved to the Hunter Region where he lived for the rest of his life. Griffiths was a passionate rugby league player, coach and administrator and was responsible for establishing coaching camps for young Aboriginal players. He also established an Aboriginal rugby league coaching clinic at the University of Newcastle, producing up to 60 Aboriginal coaches, with many going on to become prominent coaches in their own communities.
He was subsequently appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council in 1992, considered by government to be the best of the 119 land councils. In his capacity as CEO, Griffiths became involved in deliberations concerning land development and mining on Aboriginal lands.
In 2002, Griffiths was elected to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission
(ATSIC) as Commissioner for the Eastern Zone. He remained in that position until ATSIC was abolished by the Howard Government
in 2005.
In 2005, an image of Griffiths was printed on local school "currency" used to train students about the value of money.
In 2007, Griffiths was described in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
as "a man of vast experience and great ability who has long championed the cause of Aboriginal Australians."
In late 2010 Griffiths was diagnosed with lung cancer. He died on 13 December 2010.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission was the Australian Government body through which Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders were formally involved in the processes of government affecting their lives...
ers prior to the abolition of the Commission.
Background
Griffiths was born in 1948 in the town of Curlewis, outside Gunnedah, New South WalesGunnedah, New South Wales
Gunnedah is a town and Local government area in north-eastern New South Wales, Australia. 7,542 people lived in the town of Gunnedah in 2006, including 931 indigenous people ....
. He subsequently moved to the Hunter Region where he lived for the rest of his life. Griffiths was a passionate rugby league player, coach and administrator and was responsible for establishing coaching camps for young Aboriginal players. He also established an Aboriginal rugby league coaching clinic at the University of Newcastle, producing up to 60 Aboriginal coaches, with many going on to become prominent coaches in their own communities.
Career
Griffiths became involved in Aboriginal affairs in 1982 when he co-ordinated the Aboriginal Home Care pilot program.He was subsequently appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of the Mindaribba Local Aboriginal Land Council in 1992, considered by government to be the best of the 119 land councils. In his capacity as CEO, Griffiths became involved in deliberations concerning land development and mining on Aboriginal lands.
In 2002, Griffiths was elected to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission was the Australian Government body through which Aboriginal Australians and Torres Strait Islanders were formally involved in the processes of government affecting their lives...
(ATSIC) as Commissioner for the Eastern Zone. He remained in that position until ATSIC was abolished by the Howard Government
Howard Government
The Howard Government refers to the federal Executive Government of Australia led by Prime Minister John Howard. It was made up of members of the Liberal–National Coalition, which won a majority of seats in the Australian House of Representatives at four successive elections. The Howard Government...
in 2005.
In 2005, an image of Griffiths was printed on local school "currency" used to train students about the value of money.
In 2007, Griffiths was described in the New South Wales Legislative Assembly
New South Wales Legislative Assembly
The Legislative Assembly, or lower house, is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of New South Wales, an Australian state. The other chamber is the Legislative Council. Both the Assembly and Council sit at Parliament House in the state capital, Sydney...
as "a man of vast experience and great ability who has long championed the cause of Aboriginal Australians."
In late 2010 Griffiths was diagnosed with lung cancer. He died on 13 December 2010.