A tribute to Uncle Mark Flanders

With permission of his family PAWA would like to acknowledge the passing of a great man and wonderful ranger, Uncle Mark Flanders. PAWA would like to express our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends at this sad time.

Mark was a proud Gunbaynggir Elder, a traditional knowledge holder who worked for NPWS as a ranger for over twenty years. Teaching and uniting us all with his knowledge and passion for his people and culture.

Mark was also a PAWA member and in 2016 we sponsored him to attend the International Ranger Federation Congress in Colorado. It was Mark’s first time out of Australia and for those of us who attended to Congress, he absolutely stole the show. He networked with indigenous rangers from around the world, brought us all together and gave one of the great presentations at the Congress. He also played a mean didge!

To quote Sarah Ferguson who attended the Colorado Congress with Uncle Mark, “ I remember Mark with his generous smile, his infectious laugh and his wonderful ability to draw people in, to unite us all. I was proud to stand with him at the ranger Congress as a fellow Australian Ranger. He will be sorely missed”

I cannot but echo these sentiments. It was an honour and a privilege to have known Uncle Mark and the world is a poorer place for his passing.

Written by George Malolakis (PAWA Chair) on behalf of all PAWA members