Kenbi Land handover a day of celebrations Larrakia

On the Cox Peninsula, across the harbour from Darwin, one of the longest-running Aboriginal land claims in Australia's history was finally resolved with the official title deed hand back of the Kenbi claim, lodged by Larrakia people nearly 40 years before.

It was a time for celebrations for the Traditional Owners, who know that the return of their land will change the future of the Larrakia.

Larrakia man George Laughton’s mother is a member of the Kenbi Land Claim Reference Group, which oversees the ongoing management of the land. George recalled his deep links to the land.

“I was born in Belyuen community near here and I would come to this beach with my grandparents and run along the sand dunes that used to be here,” George said.

“I can still feel the spirits of our elders here.”

George and his family have been involved in the process to have Kenbi returned to the traditional owners since the claim was first submitted to the Aboriginal Land Commissioner in 1979 and George recognises the hard work of Larrakia to get their land back.

“My grandfather said we had to fight for this land and we have spent four generations doing that,” George said.

“My grandfather put in his claim for his land and I used to wish he would live to see justice done, and when he died I wished that my mother would still be alive when we got our land back and that’s happened.”

Now with children of his own, George is looking to the future.

“My mother is going to sit down with everyone on the Reference Group and come to an agreement over what we can do to ensure jobs for Larrakia people and a better economy for Darwin,” George said.

“One fella and two fella creeks just around the coast are our land and now we will get to build a house there and not worry about getting kicked out by a landlord.

“I’m looking forward to making our land pristine again so it’s a piece of paradise just across the harbour from Darwin.”