David Gulpilil had recently won the $50,000 Red Ochre Award for the Australia Council's National Indigenous Arts Award held at the Sydney Opera House. His son, Jida, was the one who nominated him for the award saying that his father's contribution to the aboriginal arts for over 40 years is immeasurable.

The respected aboriginal actor whom from his home in Arnhem Land had conquered the red carpet worldwide, became emotional as he stood once again in the steps of the Sydney Opera House.

He remembered that this was the same spot he did a tribal dance for the Queen back in 1973.

"I have been working for a long time for Australia - dancing, singing, acting and art. I appreciate it. Sydney's my Hollywood."

Jida believed that the award was long overdue recognition for his father's "work has influenced indigenous music, dance, film, documentary and storytelling."

David Gulpilil, if not the only one, was the most distinguished dancer in Australia. He had set up troupes of dancers and musicians to perform with him at different festival all over Asutralia. He has won four times in the most celebrated Darwin Australia Day Eisteddfod Dance competition.

He might be famous for his films and television shows but his art is truly rooted on being a storyteller. In fact, he had written two volumes of children's story books inspired by his own Yolngu beliefs. He also used drawing and pictures of Australian artists as illustrations for his books. His books convey his penchant for tribal landscape, people and traditional culture of his homeland.

David Gulpilil's most acclaimed success in the arts was his autobiographical stage production presented at the Adelaide Festival of Arts in March 2004.

From the Bush to the Red Carpet

David Gulpilil is a Yolngu man of the Mandhalpuyngu language group. Even when he was young, his talent as a ceremonial dancer and skills as hunter and tracker were far advanced as compared to his counterparts.

His family lived in the bush, far from any outside modern influences. They nurtured him through traditional ways. He went to the mission school at Maningrida in Australia's North east Arnhem Land.

When he was ripe to be initiated into the Mandhalpuyngu tribal group, he was given the eagle as his kinship group symbol and the Marwuyu as his homeland.

In 1969, British filmmaker Nicolas Roeg came to Maningrida scouting for a location for a film. But, he discovered more than just the perfect location for the film. He was also stunned by 16-year-old David Gulpilil dancing one of the tribe's traditional dances.

The director, guided by his artistic intuition, gave 16-year-old David Gulpilil a major role in his highly praised film of 1971, the Walkabout.

Young David Gulpilil was really destined for the screen. His talent in acting was raw, his dancing skills extraordinary and he registered impressively on screen. He became an instant hit both as a national and international celebrity.

Just within few months from his first film he was already travelling the world, rubbing elbows with famous personalities and meeting with the heads of states. He was able to meet and greet John Lennon, Bob Marley, Muhammad Ali and Bruce Lee.

Following his debut film Walkabout, his film career soars continuously. He got the lead role for the 1976 film Storm Boy. He was applauded for his role as a tribal Aboriginal man Cris Lee in 1977 film The Last Wave. He was able to sang a role in Margaret Sutherland's 1964 opera The Young Kabbarli.

And his latest achievement was when he co-starred with Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman for the 2008 film Australia.

And Back Again...

David Gulpilil's son Jida built a family company, David Gulpili Tours. The company aims to offer hunting and trips to Aboriginal heritage site with no other than David Gulpilil as tour guide. The family hopes that investors will took interest in the company as they plan to do more of David Gulpilil's documentaries, art and a tourism resort.

David Gulpili is also shooting a film entitled Charlie's Country. The film tackles the bad effect of alcohol, drugs and a Western diet on an Aboriginal bushman.

David Gulpilil admits that he can very well relate to the movie, "It's about me. It's about the Western World. When blackfellas learnt about the Western World, they learnt about grog and cigarettes and all that."

By next month, the Aboriginal actor will again be seen in the screen in the film Satellite Boy.