Gurrumul Named Australia's Most Powerful Cultural Figure

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu has today been named as the top cultural figure in the country in a list published by daily business and finance paper the Australian Financial Review.

The list draws on a wide array of people who contribute to the culture of Australia and includes musicians, actors, sporting stars and philanthropists to name just a few.

Writing about Gurrumul, the AFR's Matthew Drummond said that his “power emanates not from the quantum of music sales or awards he has garnered – had they been the criteria he'd have been trumped easily by Belgian-born Gotye – but his sheer uniqueness as a blind man from Arnhem Land who sings in the Yolngu language.”

These sentiments were echoed by panellist Mary Valentine, who said that Yunupingu's authentically Australian voice was what made him most deserving of the top spot this year.

“His importance is not so much about sales as being an authentically Australian voice which exists outside of pop music or fashion, all the more astounding since he sings in his own language,” she said.

The topic of being authentically Australian was a major one raised at the discussion about Gurrumul's life and career that closed this year's BIGSOUND industry conference in Brisbane.

“There's not a white fella in this country who can celebrate the essence of this country like an indigenous person can,” Skinnyfish Music's Mark Grose said in the discussion.

Second on the list was MONA founder David Walsh, well timed given the announcement of the MONA FOMA festival line up this morning, who was praised for the impact his museum has had on the Australian cultural landscape as well as how it has helped lift the Tasmanian tourism market.

As well as the likes of Julia Gilard, Andrew Demetriou, Penny Wong and Adam Goodes, the creative sector received further recognition through actor and director Wayne Blair, thanks to his breakout film The Sapphires, and visual artist Ben Quilty.

Check out the full list here.

As news of Gurrumul's inclusion at the top of the list is reported this morning, Yunupingu and his associates have decided to launch the Gurrumul Yunupingu Foundation, an idea conceived by the artist while touring early last year.

The Gurrumul Yunupingu Foundation will look to support a legacy of Aboriginal knowledge, achievement and opportunity and will focus on providing opportunities for indigenous youth to find success through developing both their talents and personal skills, as well as providing them relevant opportunities to allow those talents to shine. The programs will be supported over a sustained period of time.

The Foundation is currently welcoming founding philanthropic supporters, who can donate at their website now, and will launch their activities early next year.

Yesterday we reported on the top earning entertainers as revealed by BRW. Check out that list here.