Meet our Elected Members
Warruwi Councillor
A Traditional Owner for Wunyu Beach and Sandy Creek, Cr James Marrawal is a respected community leader for the people of Warruwi.
He is passionate about building up Warruwi to be a better community through better education, culture and employment opportunities. Cr Marrawal’s focus and commitment is to ensure that the Council delivers quality services, promote healthy lifestyles and career paths and long term employment for Indigenous people in West Arnhem land.
Cr Marrawal was born and grew up at Warruwi and moved to Darwin to attend Berrimah Primary School. He then went onto secondary studies boarding at Kormilda College but attended Darwin High School.
As a young adult, He was well known for his athletic ability and passion for football, with the potential to play representative footy at the highest level. He also represented a national level in high jump and was an avid basketball player.
After leaving school, Cr Marrawal attended the Batchelor Institute and gained numerous certificates in the field of health which he would utilise throughout his career. He first gained employment as a NT Police Officer and served as a medic in the armed forces and was a founder for what is now known as NORFORCE.
Cr Marrawal was also employed for several years as an area health worker, and in 1996, travelled to Canada to a world conference and delivered a book that he wrote on diabetes in Indigenous communities. He then became a Senior Ranger and was responsible for supervising rangers in Warruwi and the great West Arnhem region.
James has a commitment to his people and is not afraid to share their issues with the Council and Local Authority.
Cr Marrawal is married with 4 adult children (2 boys and 2 girls) and is the proud grandfather of 11 grandchildren. He is also a Justice of the Peace.