Bob Randall (Aboriginal Australian elder) facts for kids

Robert James "Bob" Randall (born around 1934 – died May 12, 2015) was an important Aboriginal Australian elder, singer, and community leader. Many people knew him as Uncle Bob or "Tjilpi," which means "old man" or "uncle" in his language.

Bob Randall was part of the Stolen Generations. This refers to a time when many Aboriginal children were forcibly taken from their families by government policies. He became a respected elder of the Yankunytjatjara people from Central Australia.

In 1999, he was named the NAIDOC Person of the Year. This award celebrates the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. His song from 1970, "My Brown Skin Baby, They Take 'im Away," became a powerful song for the Stolen Generations. He lived in Mutitjulu, an Aboriginal community near Uluru in Australia's Northern Territory.

Growing Up and Early Life

Bob Randall was born around 1934 at Middleton Pond. This place is in the Central Desert region of the Northern Territory. His mother, Tanguawa, was a Yankunytjatjara woman who worked at the station. His father, William Liddle, was the owner of the station.

When Bob was about seven years old, he was taken away from his mother and family. This happened because of a government policy that removed thousands of children of mixed Aboriginal and European heritage from their families. This policy created what is now known as the "Stolen Generations".

Bob was first taken to The Bungalow, a place for children of mixed heritage in Alice Springs, Northern Territory. Later, he was moved to an Aboriginal reserve on Croker Island. This island is thousands of kilometers away from his home and family. When he was taken, Bob Randall was given a new identity and a new date of birth.

He stayed in government institutions until he was twenty years old. After leaving, he continued his journey, searching for his family and his traditional country.

Community Leadership and Education

Bob Randall moved to Darwin and later to Adelaide, South Australia. He worked and studied, building a career as an educator of Aboriginal culture. He was known as "Uncle Bob" or "Tjilpi" because of his wisdom and kindness.

He helped start several groups in Darwin, including a Pony Club, Boxing Club, and Folk Club. He also established the Aboriginal Development Foundation. Bob worked as a counsellor for the Methodist Uniting Church, helping many people.

In 1970, Bob Randall helped create the Adelaide Community College for Aboriginal people. He taught about Aboriginal culture at the college. He also served as the director of the Northern Territory Legal Aid Service in Alice Springs. This service helps people with legal issues.

He was also part of the committee for the Aboriginal Publications Foundation. This group published a magazine called Identity in the 1970s. Bob also helped set up Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Centres at several universities. These included the Australian National University, University of Canberra, and University of Wollongong.

Music and Storytelling

Bob Randall led a country music band that performed in Aboriginal communities.

In the early 1970s, his song "My Brown Skin Baby, They Take 'Im Away" became very famous. It brought national and international attention to the issues faced by the Stolen Generations. This song also encouraged other Indigenous storytellers and songwriters in Australia. A documentary film with the same name was made, and it won an award at the Cannes Film Festival.

In 1999, Bob Randall was named NAIDOC's "Person of the Year." This award recognized his lifelong efforts to keep Aboriginal culture alive and to fight for equal rights. He also performed in stage shows like Child of the Night and Dream of Reconciliation.

In 2004, he was honored by being added to the NT Indigenous Music Hall of Fame. This recognized the historical importance of his songs. In 2013, he performed in an outdoor show called Bungalow Song at the Mbantua Festival.

Film Appearances

Bob Randall appeared in several documentary films. These include Mixed Up Man and Secret Country by John Pilger. He also had roles in the movies Picnic at Hanging Rock and The Last Wave.

In 2006, Bob Randall helped produce and narrate a documentary called Kanyini with Melanie Hogan. This film was very successful. It was voted "best documentary" at the London Australian Film Festival in 2007. It also won the “Inside Film Independent Spirit Award” and the Discovery Channel "Best Documentary Award" in 2006.

In 2014, he appeared in John Pilger's film, Utopia. He also released two other documentary films with Andrew Harvey: Songman and Living Kanyini.

Later Life and Legacy

Later in his life, Bob Randall returned to his mother's traditional country in Mutitjulu.

His personal story was recorded in 2002 by the National Library of Australia. This was part of the Bringing Them Home oral history project. His story also appeared in a book called Many Voices: Reflections on Experiences of Indigenous Child Separation.

Bob Randall passed away in Mutitjulu on May 12, 2015. He was about 81 years old. His life and work left a lasting impact on Australia, especially in raising awareness about the Stolen Generations and promoting Aboriginal culture.

Music Albums

• Ballads by Bob Randall (1983) – CAAMA
• Bob Randall (1984) – Imparja

Music Compilations

• Desert Songs 1 (1982) – CAAMA
• First Australians: Songs by Aboriginals and Torres Strait Islanders (1978) – Aboriginal Artists Agency
• Rebel Voices From Black Australia (1990) – Imparja
• Ted Egan Presents the Aboriginals (1987) – EMI

Books Written by Bob Randall

Bob Randall wrote four books. One was his autobiography, called Songman. He also wrote three books for children: Tracker Tjuginji, Stories From Country, and Nyuntu Ninti. He shared his personal story of being taken from his family in the book Stories of Belonging: Finding Where Your True Self Lives, published in 2009.