Lyall Munro Snr facts for kids

Lyall Munro Snr (born September 30, 1931 – died May 21, 2020), also known as Uncle Lyall Munro Senior, was a very important Aboriginal Australian leader. He worked hard to get fair rights for Indigenous people, especially for their land. He was married to Carmine "Maggie" Munro and was the father of Lyall Munro Jnr.

Early Life and Family

Lyall Munro was born on September 30, 1931, in Tingha, New South Wales. He was a Kamilaroi man, which is an Aboriginal language group. His family had a sad history, as they were descendants of people affected by the Myall Creek massacre in 1838.

Lyall Munro didn't have much formal schooling when he was young. He grew up at a time when racial segregation was common in Australia. This meant that Aboriginal people were often kept separate from non-Aboriginal people and treated unfairly.

Fighting for Rights

Lyall Munro spent his whole life fighting for Indigenous land rights. He talked with prime ministers and other important leaders. He also spoke at international meetings to share the message about Aboriginal rights.

He worked to change unfair rules and systems in Australia that treated Aboriginal people differently. He wanted everyone to have equal chances in education and jobs. In the 1980s, he led a big march in Sydney to support land rights.

Munro strongly believed in truth telling. This means sharing the real history of Australia, including the difficult parts. He felt this was important for creating a fair and united Australian identity.

Making a Difference in Moree

In 1947, Lyall Munro and his father were given Australian citizenship. This was a big deal because many Aboriginal people didn't have full citizenship rights at that time. In 1950, he moved to Moree, New South Wales. He started working as a foreman on the railways.

Back then, Aboriginal people in Moree faced many unfair rules. They weren't allowed in pubs, clubs, or the local swimming baths. They couldn't even walk on the sidewalk or play in the local football team. The local cinema also had separate sections, with Aboriginal people having to sit in the front rows.

Because Lyall Munro had citizenship rights, he could go to pubs and play football. He realized he could use his rights to help his people. He got advice from local elders and decided to work for change. He joined the Moree Aboriginal Advancement Committee and became its secretary.

The Freedom Ride in Moree

Lyall Munro was in Moree in February 1965 when the Freedom Ride came to town. This was a group of Aboriginal activists and white students led by Charlie Perkins. They traveled around country towns in regional New South Wales on a bus. Their goal was to show how unfair racial segregation was in these towns.

On February 19, the Freedom Riders arrived in Moree. They took some children from the local mission, including Lyall Snr's son, Dan. They tried to enter the Moree Swimming Baths, where Aboriginal people were not allowed. Lyall Munro and his committee had been trying to change these rules for years.

The event became very public and was shown on TV and in newspapers. It helped many Australians understand the problem of segregation. After a public meeting, the town decided to remove the unfair "colour bar" at the pool.

Lyall Munro helped the Moree community in many ways. He served on the hospital board for 10 years. He also held roles in the Moree Aboriginal Sobriety House and the Moree Local Aboriginal Land Council. He helped start important local groups like the Pius X Aboriginal Corporation and the Aboriginal Employment Strategy.

Working for Change Across NSW

Lyall Munro was a member of the NSW Aboriginal Lands Trust. This group worked to get land back for Aboriginal people. They successfully won hunting and fishing rights over some areas. They also helped close places like the Kinchela Boys' Home and Cootamundra Girls' Home. These homes had taken Aboriginal children away from their families.

In 1969, Munro was chosen for the NSW Aboriginal Advisory Council. This group gave advice to the government about Aboriginal affairs.

He also helped start the NSW Aboriginal Legal Service in the 1970s. This service provides legal help to Aboriginal people. He also worked with them to protest against dangerous mining practices.

National and International Efforts

Lyall Munro was part of national Aboriginal groups like the National Aboriginal Consultative Committee (NACC). He was also involved in talks with the Australian government about treaties for Indigenous people.

He contributed to the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. This was an important investigation into why so many Aboriginal people were dying in police custody.

Global Connections

In 1981, Munro helped Australia host a big meeting for the World Council of Indigenous Peoples (WCIP). He later became an executive member of this international group.

On December 10, 1993, which was International Human Rights Day, Munro called on governments to listen to Aboriginal Australians. He wanted them to challenge unfair rules and make sure Aboriginal voices were heard.

Munro also talked with Jose Ramos Horta, who later became the President of East Timor. They discussed East Timor independence in the 1990s.

Continuing Work in NSW

He was a first member of the NSW Aboriginal Housing Office (started in 1998). This office helps provide housing for Aboriginal people.

In 2000, Munro worked hard to create a memorial for the victims of the Myall Creek massacre. This memorial is near Bingara. He also helped get the site and memorial recognized as important historical places.

Death and Legacy

Lyall Munro Snr passed away on May 21, 2020. He was given a special state funeral in Moree on July 12, 2020. Many people attended, and his son Lyall Jnr spoke about his father's life.

His work helped his local community and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Anne Dennis, the chair of NSWALC, said that his dedication to land rights would be one of his greatest achievements.

Personal Life

Lyall Munro and his wife, Carmine "Maggie" Munro, were married for 63 years. Maggie passed away before him. They had 12 children together. They first met as children and later reconnected in 1948. They moved to Moree in 1950, and their first child, Paula, was born that year.

Their other children included Lyall Jnr (born 1951), Danile ("Dan"), Keith, Julie, Selena, Jennifer, Lloyd, Elizabeth, Andrew, William, and Alma.

Lyall Munro Snr was survived by 9 of his children, 45 grandchildren, 122 great-grandchildren, and 28 great-great-grandchildren. He had a very large family.

Recognition

In 2002, Lyall Munro received the National NAIDOC Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Elders of the Year Award.

In 2013, he was given the Aboriginal Justice Award by the Law and Justice Foundation of NSW.

A few months after he died, in August 2020, seven federal senators asked the Australian Senate to honor Lyall Munro's life in parliament.

A photograph of Lyall and Maggie Munro, called "Mr and Mrs Lyall Munro," was part of an exhibition by Indigenous photographer Michael Riley. Smaller copies of this photo are kept at the State Library of New South Wales and the National Gallery of Australia.