Cr Ralph Blyth
Kakadu Councillor
Meet our Elected Members
Cr Ralph Blyth is one of the longest serving councillors at the West Arnhem Regional Council. Born in Darwin while his parents were stationed at Milingimbi where his father was the resident ‘fix it person’ resident engineer where he also serviced Galiwinku and Warruwi, they then moved to Minjilang and spent a few years before the family moved to Darwin for him and his Sisters to attend school.
Ralph didn’t have any interest in High school so ended up leaving and going across to the Darwin Community College for 6 months, where he commenced and completed diesel mechanic apprenticeship under the tutorage of his father.
On completion Ralph was visiting Croker Island where he was asked to stay on in the community workshop for a few months before going back to Darwin and getting back into the buffalo catching industry. Coming out to Jabiru for some wet season work in ’83 he is still here and has worked for Gagudju Association, Ranger Mine, NLC and Public Health Clinic in Jabiru. Tony Tapsell who was then the CEO got him interested in Jabiru Town Council where he did a few years and then the Transitional Committee. When the Shires were formed he was elected first as a Councillor, and then as the President of what was then known as the West Arnhem Shire. Ralph is the semi carer for his mother Goldie who’s traditional ties take in Wark (Murganella) area West Arnhem Land with his father originally heading up from Melbourne who met her in the late 40’s when he was working in Gunbalanya.
Ralph is known around Jabiru as a gentleman’s gentleman who is passionate about advocating for the needs of the community, and is available to help out whenever he can.
He is currently the EO of the Warnbi Aboriginal Corporation. There is one thing that Ralph claims to fame and that is he has always lived South of the Berrimah Line.