30 September, 2024
NSW Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC) and the Land Rights Network mourn the passing of Joyce Caroline Clague (nee Mercy), a proud Yaegl/Gumbayngirr/Bundjalung woman and trailblazer for her people.
Joyce will be remembered for her commitment and dedication to Aboriginal Health, Education, Land Rights, Aboriginal Medical, Legal and Children’s Services, Art, Women’s Rights and more.
Until her passing, Joyce Clague was the only living member of the original NSWALC Working Committee elected at a Land Rights conference in 1977 at the Black Theatre in Redfern, which resolved to set up the NSWALC.
Kevin Cook was the Chairperson and the other Committee members were Joyce Clague, Kevin Gilbert, Alan Woods, Alice Briggs, Camela Potter, Linda (Trudy) Longbottom, Betty Tighe, Ray Kelly, Jack Campbell, and Ted Thomas.
They established NSWALC, built our membership and campaigned for Parliament to introduce the Aboriginal Land Rights Act, which ultimately became law in 1983. Joyce was also deeply involved in the formation of the Yaegl Local Aboriginal Land Council at Maclean in her Northern Rivers homeland.
In 2017, the NSWALC presented Joyce with a Land Rights Warrior Award at its 40th Anniversary Dinner, in recognition of her lasting impact on Land Rights in NSW.
Joyce also served as the inaugural Welfare Officer at the Foundation for Aboriginal Affairs, was a member of the inaugural NSW Women’s Advisory Council, an assistant to the NSW Ombudsman for the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody, was the first Aboriginal member of the Australian Museum Trust, and Deputy Chair of the NSW Ministerial Task Force on Aboriginal Culture and Heritage.
NSWALC Councillor for the Northern Region Cr Diane Randall says Joyce Clague will be sadly missed but forever remembered.
“Joyce was completely dedicated to her people, and the rights of Aboriginal peoples to freehold title of their land, as well as access to education, health care and legal services.
She was fiercely intelligent, energetic and generous, and has inspired me and many others to continue in the very firm footprints she left for us to follow,” she said.
“On behalf of the Land Rights Network, I send my deep condolences to Joyce’s family at this very sad time.”
You are welcome to add your memories on Joyce Clague’s website, www.joyceclague.com. Funeral details will be shared there in coming days.