iDIDJ Australia Didgeridoo Cultural Hub

ididjaustralia · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:16 am Post subject: Nicky Yunupingu passing

Been busy here with Djalu's Masterclass so haven't had a chance to let people know, but Nicky Yunupingu passed away on the night of the 23rd July. We spent time together in the days leading up the to Masterclass and during it and feel comfort that I at least got a chance to see him before his premature departure from this world. Like several other yidaki-djambatj that I've had the pleasure of knowing and learning from over the years from the Gove region, he was a kind soul with something special about him, that intangible quality that draws people towards him. He'll be sadly missed by all. RIP Maralitja man, I'll never forget your friendship.

Guan

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kdidj · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 255

Sorry to hear this Guan. What another major loss for the yidaki world.

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Ahaw · Joined: 02 Apr 2007 Posts: 103 Location: France, Antibes

RIP...

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martin · Joined: 22 Mar 2007 Posts: 101

Terribly sorry to hear this Guan.
RIP. .

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Yirrkala Arts · Joined: 01 Apr 2007 Posts: 53 Location: Yirrkala

Nicky was one of the first young men I spent time with in 1999, helping me cut and make yidaki. He was always one of the most friendly and open young Yolngu men, while many others are shy and awkward with outsiders. He was lovely and talented and funny. This shouldn't have happened.

I had a plan I wish I had gotten around to sooner. He's a direct grandson of the great Wandjuk Marika. Many of you would know of the old 7" vinyl recording of Wandjuk Marika at Port Moresby, probably the world's only solo yidaki single! Check it out on manikay.com if you don't know it. We had a lead on the original master of that recording, and I had a fantasy of reissuing it along with a new recording of Nicky, the hot yidaki player two generations down the line, playing the same songs. But alas, another tragic loss gets in the way.

Ahaw · Joined: 02 Apr 2007 Posts: 103 Location: France, Antibes

Only 26 y.o... Crying or Very sad

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flyangler18 · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 394

Terribly sorry to hear this news, Guan. Both Nicky and Yomunu were two of my biggest inspirations as a player. The yidaki world will be reeling for a while.

Jason

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mahoran · Joined: 23 Mar 2007 Posts: 137 Location: Gent, Belgium

Terribly sorry to hear that.
RIP Nicky.

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ididjaustralia · Posted: Fri Aug 15, 2008 10:12 pm Post subject:

Those who are have been inspired by Nicky and have enjoyed his vids on YouTube might be interested in helping out the family, I wrote a cheque to Nicky's mother for $800 and I've been asked for further assistance so any help would be great. I can collect donations thru Paypal if people think that is the best way to do it. Contact me by private messaging if you are keen on contributing something. I'm still in the NT, haven't been in the iDIDJ office for ages, sorry if I haven't replied to emails and stuff, gotta go...

Guan

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ididjaustralia · Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 8:38 pm Post subject:

Hi guys, still away... but thanks to those who have made a contribution, it is very much appreciated. Some friends have written lovely messages for Nicky's father and mother which I will forward on to them. I'd like to pass around a CD to those who have sent a donation of photographs of Nicky plus video footage of him playing yirdaki, some of which were from very recent recordings just days before his departure from this world. This is strictly for personal use and is a thank you gesture to those who have been kind enough to help out in this time of sorrow.

Hope everyone is well.

Guan

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ididjaustralia · Posted: Fri Aug 29, 2008 5:25 pm Post subject:

Some pics as a tribute to a friend and an inspiration to many. They remind me of laughter and fun, he was a man who always had family and friends around him wherever he was. Pics necessarily blurred.

Guan

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ididjaustralia · Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 7:41 pm Post subject:

Got a call from Galarrwuy earlier in the day, funeral finishing this Sunday. I waited for a long time for the funeral to start but it just wasn't to be, had to leave to take care of other matters but my thoughts will be with the families. The current thinking is that it wasn't suicide, but that there was foul play involved but let's leave that to the authorities and lawyers to investigate...

Guan

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