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Clarence Frederick "Clarrie" Isaacs, also known as Yaluritja and Ishak Mohamad Haj, (9 April 1948 – 26 November 2003) was an Aboriginal Australian activist.
Clarrie Isaacs JP | |
|---|---|
| Born | 4 September 1948 |
| Died | 26 November 2003 (aged 55) |
| Resting place | Karrakatta Cemetery |
| Other names | Yaluritja Ishak Mohamed |
| Education | Perth Modern School |
| Known for | Activism |
| Children | Graham Isaacs, Naomi Isaacs, Amber Lankester Isaacs |
Isaacs attended Perth Modern School, where he studied technical drawing. He later attended the Clyde Cameron College in Albury, a union-backed training centre.[1] After converting to Islam Isaacs undertook a pilgrimage to Mecca, earning the right to use the honorific title Haj.[1]
In the early 1990s Isaacs was among a number of activists, including Michael Mansell, who formed the Aboriginal Provisional Government. At various times Isaacs styled himself as the President of the Aboriginal Government.[2][3][4] Isaacs, with other activists, travelled to Libya using Aboriginal passports issued by a group that later became known as the Aboriginal Provisional Government.[5] Attempting to use the passports on their re-entry to Australia, they were initially refused entry to Australia by immigration officials.[2][6][7][8]
Isaacs was a prominent figure in protests against development of the Swan Brewery site in Perth during the late 1980s.[2] He was also prominent in efforts to return the pickled head of 19th century Noongar warrior Yagan from Britain.[9]
In 1991 Isaacs was a founding member of the short-lived New Left Party, considered a successor of the Communist Party of Australia.[10] In the 1993 Western Australian state election Isaacs stood for the Western Australian Legislative Assembly seat of Fremantle.[11] Isaacs stood as a candidate for Racism No! in the 1996 Western Australian state election for the Legislative Council in the South Metropolitan Region.[12] At the 2001 Australian federal election Isaacs was a candidate for the Australian Senate, however he only received 260 votes.[13]
He was chairman of the Derbal Yerrigan Health Service and was a Western Australian delegate to the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation.[14] Isaacs was a justice of the peace.[15]
Isaacs died 26 November 2003 in Dunsborough, Western Australia. He was buried on 12 December 2003 at Karrakatta Cemetery in Perth.[16][17][18]
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