The Board of Directors, members and staff of the Indigenous Carbon Industry Network (ICIN) are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Mr. N GulayGulay. His loss will be felt profoundly across the network and beyond.
Mr. N GulayGulay was a proud Yolngu Elder and Traditional Owner of the coastal country near Ramingining in northeast Arnhem Land. He was a long-serving director and senior ranger with the Arafura Swamp Rangers Aboriginal Corporation, where he dedicated his time to caring for his Country.
In 2021, Mr. N GulayGulay was appointed as one of the inaugural seven Aboriginal members of the ICIN Board of Directors, a position he held until his passing. He was deeply committed to the work of the network, bringing invaluable cultural insight and leadership.
In recent years, Mr. N GulayGulay played an increasing role in the development of carbon methods aimed at managing and reducing the impact of hard-hoofed introduced animals in wetlands. He worked alongside researchers, documenting the physical damage caused by feral buffalo to the delicate soils of the Arafura Swamp Region. In 2024, Mr N GulayGulay shared his insights with delegates at the North Australia Savanna Fire Forum, detailing the challenges faced by rangers in managing feral animals.
ICIN Co-Chair Dr. Dean Yibarbuk said,
“For 30 years I looked up to him, and really respected him. He was close family, a cousin, a brother. We worked together in many different capacities, in government and in the ranger programs. He was passionate about his work and pushed to get things to happen. He was extremely important to ICIN and highly respected by Traditional Owners and those working on ranger and fire projects. I wish to give my deep condolences to his family and to the ASRAC team. With our work with the ICIN going out to communities, I thought he would be there with us. He will be greatly missed, I will miss him, all of the ICIN groups will miss him.”
ICIN Co-Chair Cissy Gore-Birch OAM said,
“As the Co-Chair of the ICIN Board, I wish to express my condolences to his family and to ASRAC. His loss will be profoundly felt within ICIN, where we valued the contributions he brought to his role as Director. He was deeply passionate about doing what is right for both the people and the land, a humble man, and a quiet achiever. He had a big heart, always driven by what was right for his people. His wit, his cheeky nature, how he made us laugh, and warmth will be greatly missed.”
ICIN CEO Anna Boustead said,
"We are deeply grateful for Mr. N GulayGulay’s many years of dedicated service as a vital member of the Indigenous Carbon Industry Network’s Board of Directors. His passion for protecting his Country and his efforts to develop carbon methods that support sustainable land management will continue to inspire us. Just six weeks ago we were all together at the North Australia Savanna Fire Forum on Larrakia Country in Darwin, where Mr N GulayGulay was towering above us all and entraining us with his infectious sense of humour. He will be greatly missed. Our condolences are with his family at this sad time.”
