Vale David Dalaithngu AM

We mourn the passing of the once-in-a-generation artist whose career included such landmark films as Walkabout, The Tracker and Charlie’s Country.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story contains images of a person who has died. A modified version of his name and images have been used with his family’s consent.

David Dalaithngu AM was a titan of the Australian screen industry, a traditional man raised on Country whose exquisite dancing, electric performances and remarkable charisma made him an international star.

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Richard Watts OAM is ArtsHub's National Performing Arts Editor; he also presents the weekly program SmartArts on Three Triple R FM. Richard is a life member of the Melbourne Queer Film Festival, a Melbourne Fringe Festival Living Legend, and was awarded the Sidney Myer Performing Arts Awards' Facilitator's Prize in 2020. In 2021 he received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Green Room Awards Association. Most recently, Richard received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in June 2024. Follow him on Twitter: @richardthewatts