Board, members and staff of the Indigenous Carbon Industry Network were shocked and saddened to hear the news of the sudden passing of Mr W Rioli.

The network sends its deepest condolences to his colleagues at Tiwi Resources, to his family and to his friends, of which there are many, right across Australia.

Mr Rioli was a Director and founding member of the Indigenous Carbon Industry Network Steering Committee which oversaw the development of the network as Australia’s first peak body for the Indigenous carbon industry since 2018.

As a proud Munupi man, Senior Ranger and Mentor for Tiwi Resources, Mr Rioli was an expert fire manager and an inspiring leader for his community and the network. He was passionate about uniting people from across Australia to provide exciting opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities through the Indigenous carbon industry.

Dean Yibarbuk, Co-Chair of ICIN said: “It is so tragic to lose Mr Rioli. He was always working so hard to make a better life for his people, He was always so creative in realizing opportunities through caring for country, through the carbon project and always working for his community. We will continue to honour his legacy and life’s work as best as we can.”

Cissy Gore-Birch, Co-Chair of ICIN said: “It has been an honour to work with Mr Rioli. He was very passionate and driven by his strong connection to people and country. Mr Rioli was working hard towards change for people and our next generation coming up through this industry."

His positive energy was incredible, he was truly encouraging and inspiring to us all. There was so much heart in the work that he did.”

ICIN CEO Anna Boustead said: “Mr Rioli leaves an incredible legacy as well as a giant hole in the heart of our network.”

“This has left us reeling and is so hard to come to terms with when just a few days ago we were co-presenting with Mr Rioli at the Developing the North conference in Mackay, and two weeks prior to that we presented at a workshop on the Tiwi Islands together with fellow Director Dean Yibarbuk, along with staff from the ILSC and Tiwi Resources.”

“He was such a warm person, a constant source of support to myself and everyone at ICIN. His positive and pragmatic spirit was infectious and he had an ability to expertly weave traditional knowledge and culture with western ways.

He was forever making time for others and very passionate about providing opportunities for young people and future generations, and in particular enabling these through the carbon industry, as well as through his other talent and passion, football.”

Photos 1,2 by Tiwi Resources with permission from his family and Tiwi Resources.
Photo 3: ILSC Savanna Fire Management and Carbon Workshop, May 2022 by Tiwi Resources 
Photo 4: Consultation meeting on ICIN Constitution facilitated by Mr Rioli with representatives from Kimberley Land Council, Wunambal Gaambera AC and Willingin AC, April 2021.