b. c.1882 Northern Territory, Australia. d. 21/06/1954 Nutwood Downs Station, Australia.
DATE OF AM ACTION: 01/02/1911 Wilton River, Northern Territory.
Neighbour AM
Ayaiga (or Aya-I-Ga, Neighbour or Nipper) was of the Alawa language group in the Roper River region. He worked as a police tracker at Roper Bar Police Station and as a stockman at Nutwood Downs and Hodgson Downs stations.
In 1911, Ayaiga saved the life of Mounted Police Constable William Johns during a river crossing. Ayaiga and three other men had been arrested for cattle stealing and was being transported in neck chains by Constable Johns. While attempting to cross the Wilton River, Johns’ horse overturned kicking him in the head and knocking him unconscious. Despite the neck chain, Ayaiga quickly rescued Johns, dragging him to safety. Ayaiga then borrowed Johns’ horse and rode to Hodgson Downs Station to request help. He was not convicted of cattle stealing. Then on 16 February 1912 he was awarded the Albert Medal for Lifesaving by King George V at Government House, making him the first Indigenous Australian awarded a medal for gallantry. He was not permitted to keep the medal, which was kept for him by the government to wear on special occasions.
He wore the medal in February 1915, while on trial for murder. He was acquitted. In 1940 he ferried supplies and rescued people stranded by the flooded Roper River. Constable Johns’ grandson, sculptor Greg Johns, created a sculpture inspired by Ayaiga’s story. It is on display at Northern Territory Library. Another of Johns’ grandsons is ABC sports broadcaster Charlie King. His medal is held at the National Library of Australia. A replica is on display at the Northern Territory Library.
AM CITATION:
On the 1st February, 1911, Neighbour, who had been placed under arrest, was being conveyed to the Roper River Police Station by William F. Johns, a trooper of the Police Force of the Northern Territory. On the morning of the day in question the Wilton River which was found to be in full flood—had to be- crossed, and Johns, who was on horseback, and was holding in his hand the neck chain by which Neighbour was secured, set the prisoner to swim in front of him whilst he followed. The horse got into difficulties in mid-stream, and before the trooper could clear himself he was kicked in the face by the animal and carried off by the current. Neighbour, instead of using the opportunity of making his escape, went to John’s assistance and brought him ashore with great difficulty and at the risk of his own life.
BURIAL LOCATION: NUTWOOD DOWNS STATION, NORTHERN TERRITORY, AUSTRALIA.
LOCATION OF MEDAL: NATIONAL LIBRARY OF AUSTRALIA, CANBERRA.
