The Mornington Island community welcomed rugby league identity Scott Prince to the island on Tuesday to help commemorate its 16th Memorial Day.
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The memorial day is one of the most important days on the Wellesley Islands calendar.
The day pays respect to the five people from Mornington, Bentinck and Forsyth Islands who lost their lives in a horrific plane crash on November 24, 1999.
The Cessna 206 charter plane was carrying Lelkandu Nelson Gavenor, 63, of the Yangkaal People, Andrew Marmies, 60, of the Lardil People, Olive Loogatha, 46, of the Kaiadilt People, and brothers Graham Wilson, 34 and Gavin Wilson, 19, of the Lardil People.
The Cessna struck horrific weather and went down into the sea near the Wellesley Islands.
The life of pilot Andrew Anthonisz, 21, was also lost as a result of the crash.
They were leaders in their communities and members of the Carpentaria Land Council Aboriginal Corporation (CLCAC).
And they were committed to regaining control and legal rights to their traditional country.
The plane was carrying them to Normanton for a Land Council Meeting.
They were going to discuss the High Court’s ruling against the removal of a mooring buoy.
The buoy disrespected the cultural significance of the Kaiadilt people of Bentinck Island.
A council spokeswoman said the day was gaining in significance with each passing year.
It provided a sombre reminder that the youngest of those lost would have been 35 this year, the spokeswoman said.
Some 300 children enjoyed a day with a health and sports focus with footy legend Scott Prince.
His visit to the island was made possible through funding from the Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing.
Two giant indigenous flag cakes, measuring 150cm x 80cm each, were made to cater for a crowd of 1000 acknowledging the lives lost.
The memorial day ended with dancing on the Gunana foreshore.
There was also floating of lanterns on the sea.
