Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story contains images and references to a loved one who has passed. On Friday, July 18 at 2pm, the Byron Shire community will gather at Apex Park to celebrate the remarkable life of a man many knew by different names—Ecca, Jangala, Tracker, and simply, Uncle Pete. His passing on July 6, surrounded by family, marked the end of a vibrant 66 years that left a deep imprint on everyone who crossed his path. Though he has gone too soon, the legacy he leaves behind is immense. His partner, Vicki Hainey, her children Mitch, Amy and Emma, and his daughter Elle Davidson remember him as someone who filled every room with warmth, humour, creativity, and cultural pride. Elle says her father was “the kind of person people gravitated toward,” a man whose charisma and cultural strength were matched by his love of rock’n’roll, performing, and bringing people together. A Life Lived Loud — On Stage and Behind the Scenes Before settling in Byron, Uncle Pete carved out a wild and unforgettable chapter in the Australian music scene. As a roadie known affectionately as “Tracker,” he toured through the 1990s with giants like AC/DC, Warumpi Band, Guns N’ Roses, Pearl Jam and Midnight Oil. His years on the road created friendships that lasted a lifetime — even music legend Willie Nelson proudly kept several of Uncle Pete’s artworks in his home. Later, Uncle Pete brought his energy to Bluesfest, managing the Indigenous stage and championing Aboriginal performers. But he didn’t stay behind the curtain — his love of movement and rhythm saw him dancing at festivals, community events, and gatherings across the region. “He just loved being up there performing,” Elle says. “It was one of the ways he connected to people.” Painting was another doorway into his creativity. His artwork blended traditional techniques with his own bold colours and style — a visual expression of identity, memory, and belonging. A Man of Many Talents, Grounded in Culture Uncle Pete was also a force on the football field, earning the nickname “Ecca the Wrecker” after South Sydney great Eric Simms. Yet, beneath the music, the art, the footy, was something much deeper — his cultural identity and the desire to share it. His passing during NAIDOC Week felt significant to his family. This year’s theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision and Legacy,” reflected everything he stood for. “Dad was passionate about teaching culture and helping Jarjum connect to who they are,” Elle says. “He made a huge difference in people’s lives.” A Journey Back to Family and Country Born in 1959 beneath a birthing tree at Rapid Creek in Darwin, Uncle Pete’s early life took a painful turn. As a baby, he was taken from his mother, Ethel Birch, and placed in the Retta Dixon Home. He and his brother John were later adopted by Arthur and Lydia Marshall, Methodist missionaries who raised the boys between Arnhem Land and Sydney. In his 20s, he began his cultural journey — joining groups of dancers and painters at Circular Quay, reconnecting with his heritage, and eventually using Link-Up to reunite with his Kimberley family. He spent precious years with his mother Ethel, strengthening bonds that had been taken from him as a child. Finding Home in the Byron Shire By the late 1990s, Uncle Pete had followed Elle and Vicki to Byron Bay, soon becoming part of the Arakwal community. Local Elders embraced him, and he formed lifelong friendships with Uncle Mickey Kay and Aunty Linda Vidler. Together, they transformed a corner of Main Beach into “The Office” — a spot for painting, fishing yarns, fresh sea breezes, and community connection. Known for his smoking ceremonies, his art, his dance, and his gift for bringing people together, Uncle Pete became a bridge between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in the region. In 2015, he was honoured as Byron Shire’s Elder of the Year during NAIDOC Week. A Final Journey Back to Country While Byron will host the celebration of his life, Uncle Pete’s final resting place will be in the Kimberley, on Balanggarra Country beside his mother, Ethel. To support this return to Country, Elle has created a GoFundMe to help family travel with him and fulfil his wishes. “He always wanted to go back to Wyndham and rest with his mum,” Elle says. “This journey will bring our family together to honour him one last time.”