Experience and youth go hand in hand to guide Central Land Council’s future

A former police officer and a former assistant school principal have been elected to lead one of the nation’s most powerful Aboriginal land councils.

Robert Hoosan and Warren Willams have been elected to lead the Central Land Council for the next three years Source: Supplied

More than 80 land council delegates from across Central Australia have gathered in Tennant Creek to vote on the new leadership of the Central Land Council for the next three years.

Anangu youth worker Robert Hoosan was elected as the new chairman of the land council, one of the most powerful in the country, in a voting process that was overseen by the Northern Territory Electoral Commission.

The former police officer, health worker and Uniting Church chairman hails from the Aputula community.

Delegates voting for the new leadership of the Central Land Council in Tennant Creek. Source: Supplied

Mr Hoosan has been a member of the Central Land Councils’ 11-member executive committee since 2019 and is also a board member of the Aboriginal Areas Protection Authority.

“I love to listen to people and try to guide them, and I need them to guide me too," he said.

"We delegates, the remote communities, are the land council.”

The Deputy Chairman is Warlpiri leader Warren Williams,  a former assistant school principal and deputy president of the Central Desert Shire Council.

Mr Williams also chairs Yuendumu’s Warlpiri Youth Development Aboriginal Corporation and delivered a powerful speech on the steps of the Supreme Court at the end of the Zachary Rolfe Murder trial.

20-year-old Ricardo Gallagher, the youngest delegate, casting his vote. Source: Supplied

Mr Willams says he wants to focus on the repatriation of sacred objects and the protection of sites.

He also praised the involvement of more young people in the land council. 

“We’ve got good delegates and staff, both men and women, and we’ve got to work together. The land council’s future looks bright.”