Bob Bellear facts for kids

Robert William "Bob" Bellear (born 17 June 1944 – died 15 March 2005) was an important Australian social activist, lawyer, and judge. He made history as the first Aboriginal Australian judge. He served as a judge in the District Court of New South Wales from 1996 until he passed away in 2005. His brother, Sol Bellear, was also a well-known rights advocate.

Early Life and Community Work

Bob Bellear was born in the far north-east of New South Wales. He grew up near the town of Mullumbimby. His family had a diverse background. One grandfather was from Vanuatu, brought to Australia to work on a sugar farm. This was part of a practice called "blackbirding," where people were forced to work far from home. His grandmother was an Aboriginal Australian woman from Minjerribah in Queensland. His other grandfather was also "blackbirded" from the Solomon Islands. Bob was one of nine children.

He left school early and found it hard to get a job. He believed this was due to racism. So, he joined the Royal Australian Navy. There, he learned valuable skills like mechanical engineering and clearance diving. He was also a talented rugby union player for the Navy's team. Bob Bellear was the first Indigenous person to reach the rank of petty officer in the Navy. He left the Navy in 1968 with several qualifications, which helped him find work easily.

Bob and his wife, Kaye Williams, lived in Redfern, a suburb in Sydney. Redfern had a large Aboriginal population. In 1972, Bob, Kaye, and others started the Aboriginal Housing Company. This group helped Aboriginal families find homes. Throughout the 1970s, Bob also served as a director for the Aboriginal Medical Service and the Aboriginal Legal Service. He led a campaign to stop landlords from unfairly evicting Aboriginal tenants in Redfern. His efforts led to the government transferring ownership of an area known as The Block to the Aboriginal Housing Corporation.

Becoming a Lawyer and Judge

Bob Bellear often saw the challenges and unfair treatment faced by the Aboriginal community in Redfern. This inspired him to study law. In 1972, he went back to school to complete his Higher School Certificate. Then, he began studying law at the University of New South Wales. In 1978, he graduated, becoming only the second Indigenous person to earn a law degree from that university.

In 1979, he became a barrister in New South Wales. As a barrister, he represented many Aboriginal people in criminal trials. He often worked with the Aboriginal Legal Service. In 1987, he was appointed as a counsel (a type of lawyer) to the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. This was a major investigation into why Aboriginal people were dying while in police custody.

In 1993, Macquarie University gave him an honorary doctorate in law. This was a special award recognizing his achievements. On 17 May 1996, Bob Bellear made history again. He was appointed a judge of the District Court of New South Wales. This made him the very first Indigenous person to be appointed as a judge in any court in Australia.

He served as a judge until his death. During his time on the bench, he was a mentor to young Indigenous lawyers. He encouraged students to visit his courtroom and learn from him. He chose to work in rural areas, visiting Aboriginal communities in regional towns. This allowed him to connect with more people and bring students into his courtroom in different parts of the state.

Later Life and Legacy

Bob Bellear passed away at his home on 15 March 2005. The Government of New South Wales honored him with a state funeral. This special ceremony was held at the Sydney Town Hall and was attended by about 2000 people. Many important figures were there, including the Governor of New South Wales Marie Bashir.

Bob Bellear is remembered as a pioneering figure. He broke down barriers and dedicated his life to fighting for justice and equality for Aboriginal Australians. His work as a lawyer and judge, and his commitment to community, left a lasting impact.