Paul Coe, an Aboriginal lawyer and activist known for his work in creating the first Aboriginal Legal Service and advocating for land rights, passed away at the age of 76. Coe was remembered as a significant figure in the land rights movement, who contributed to improving the lives of Aboriginal people across the nation. His family celebrated him as a “Wiradjuri warrior” who dedicated his life to promoting his people’s way of life, overcoming prejudice to fight for Aboriginal justice, land rights, and self-determination.
NSW Aboriginal Land Council chairperson Raymond Kelly praised Coe for his unwavering fight against institutional racism and police brutality, stating that he leaves a lasting legacy. Keith Morgan, the chairperson of the NSW Aboriginal Legal Service, also paid tribute to Coe, describing him as a respected and fearless leader in Aborigines’ rights.
Coe was born in 1949 in New South Wales and became the first Aboriginal student at Cowra High School to pass the HSC and be elected a prefect. He then became one of the first Aboriginal individuals to study law at the University of New South Wales. He was crucial in developing the Australian arm of the Black Power movement and created a database to document the scale of police’s racist actions, which led to the establishment of the NSW Aboriginal Legal Service.
Coe fought for Aboriginal people’s rights in court cases, including a 1979 case that helped lay the groundwork for subsequent Native Title legislation. He was also a member of the first Aboriginal Land Council in NSW and supported the Gurindji people’s fight against the Vestey Company in the Northern Territory.
Coe’s children vowed to uphold his legacy, expressing their deep grief at his loss. They remembered him as a loving father, grandfather, brother, and uncle and called him to rest in power, using the word Yindyamarra, which means hello and goodbye in the Wiradjuri language.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jul/31/wiradjuri-man-paul-coe-a-legend-of-the-land-rights-movement-dies-age-76
