WORDS Monique Preston
Singer, author, crocodile hunter, footy player, stockman, and member of the Order of Australia.
A man of many talents, the Northern Territory's Administrator Ted Egan seems as comfortable with his current role-akin to a state governor-as he has been with other jobs he has held during his lifetime.
And why wouldn't he be? The labourer turned bureaucrat turned Adminstrator has always had a sense of pride and self respect. The son of poor Irish Catholic parents, Ted was brought up in Melbourne, before moving to the Northern Territory in 1949 at the age of 16. The move was originally intended as a way to earn some quick money before going on a trip to Brazil, but turned into a love affair with the Northern Territory.
While he has lived in a number of places since then, Ted's home has always been the Northern Territory. And he wouldn't have it any other way. 'The Northern Territory was a great place then and still is now', he says. Curious to learn about the first Australians, Ted quickly befriended some of the indigenous locals on his arrival in Darwin. One in particular-a man they called Aloysius but whose real name was Puantulra-took the young Ted under his wing and taught him the Tiwi language, among other things.
'He had a huge influence on my life', Ted says. 'I used to go to his tin hut three nights a week.'
Perceiving Ted's interest in music, Puantulra sang to him in Tiwi, then explained the meanings of the songs. Ted would sing the songs back, gradually understanding the meaning of the words.
Speaking Tiwi was especially helpful to Ted in his role as captain of St Mary's football team. The team, consisting mainly of indigenous players, commenced in 1951 at the suggestion of the then Bishop of Darwin, John O'Loughlin. A keen footballer, Ted was already playing for another team at a local Catholic school.
The club was formed in order to give the Tiwi men who had come to Darwin with the Army or the Royal Australian Air Force a chance to play in the local football league. The club has since enjoyed a successful time in the league with many premierships. Three of its players have become members of parliament and a number went on to play professionally.
This association with St Mary's brought Ted to the attention of the then Minister for the Northern Territory, Paul Hasluck, who saw him addressing the players in Tiwi during a football match. After the game was over he offered Ted a job in his office.
This was the start of what turned into 27 years with the Northern Territory Native Affairs Department (now the Department of Aboriginal Affairs). The job gave Ted the chance to further his interest in indigenous culture and affairs.
His jobs in the department were many and varied, ranging from being the superintendent of the Aboriginal reserve Yuendumu and also being a stockman there, to being a crocodile shooter in Arnhem Land for a couple of years while serving as a patrol officer on a reserve.
'For the indigenous there the way to get money was to shoot crocodiles', he says. 'I'd sell the skins and buy things for them.'
Ted introduced football to the community at Yuendumu, and they are still excellent footy players-winning the seniors grand final in Alice Springs in September.
Ted eventually retired from the Northern Territory Native Affairs Department because he felt it was time that indigenous Australians had their own voice on issues.
'People were asking me the Aboriginal perspective on things', he says. 'I felt it was time they gave their own perspective.'
It was then that Ted turned to his singing and songwriting career. With 28 albums to his name, he has brought many characters to life through his songs.
'The songs are about people I've met or known about, or admired', he says. 'Ninety per cent are about real people, most of whom belong to the Northern Territory.'
It is through his songs that Ted set a precedent in his life for seeking out the good in people. He labels himself an observer of people, and perhaps could be likened to a sort of human sponge that absorbs the people and experiences he encounters.
'I take a great interest in people', he says. 'We have to look for the good in one another instead of looking for the chinks in the armour ... I prefer to look for the attributes that are inherent in everyone.'
He loves the Australian willingness to give people a go, and this trait gives him faith that non-indigenous Australians can forge closer relationships with indigenous Australians.
Now in his new role as Administrator of the Northern Territory, Ted doesn't have as much time to dedicate to his songwriting, but says he hasn't written his last song yet.
'I still sing a bit', he says. 'When I visit schools instead of giving a boring speech I teach the kids a song. I will return to writing songs, I still have a few ideas but I'm a bit busy.'
Despite the time pressures, Ted enjoys his current role.
'It's a role where you are on public call a lot, which is very demanding, but very pleasurable', he says. 'It's not a role where you can implement great changes, but you can have a lot of influence. I have a lot of knowledge and ideas that get noticed when they are put on Government House letterheads.'
Of course, it helps that, as Administrator, he automatically becomes the patron of the Northern Territory Football League. He has plans to use football as a vehicle to address some of the issues that affect the Northern Territory's indigenous population-and issues that affect Aborigines are among those closest to his heart.
He has strong views about Aboriginal adult education, throwing off the welfare system and better health for Aborigines. Yet he is modest about his role in Aboriginal affairs.
'I certainly would not say I'm an expert, but I've had a lot of experience', he says.
It was partly his work with and for indigenous Australians that earned Ted his membership of the Order of Australia. He received the honour for 'services to Aboriginal people and contribution to the literary heritage of Australia through songs and verse'.
While he will continue in his role of Administrator of the Northern Territory for the next two years, Ted looks set to have a great influence on life in the Northern Territory for many years to come.
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