Australia is a poorer place today with the passing of Ron Castan , AM, QC
in Melbourne this morning.
Ron played a huge part in many of the most important cases involving
indigenous issues in Australia over the last 30 years. He became the
founding Honorary Secretary of the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service in
1971 and has been a prominent member of the Koorie heritage Trust in recent
years.
Mabo, Nookambah, the Alcoa / Guindij Mara case, Wik, the Yorta Yorta
Federal Court appeal and a host of other historic matters were graced by
Ron's involvement. He also played a huge role in trying minimise damage to
Native Title during the Howard government's 1998 amendment fiasco. In 1991
he co-chaired the national inquiry into racist violence.
Philanthropic trusts established by the Castan family have also been of
great benefit to many Indigenous Australians. You can find out a little
more about him at:
http://www.johntooheychambers.com.au/html/castan.htm
Ron Castan was a truly great Australian. His quite sudden passing at the
age of 59 is great loss to all.
Rod Hagen
Rod Hagen
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Hurstbridge, Victoria, Australia
WWW http://www.netspace.net.au/~rodhagen
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