John Kundereri Moriarty facts for kids

John Kundereri Moriarty, also known as "Jumbana," was born around 1938. He is a famous Aboriginal Australian artist and a former soccer player. He also advised the government. He is well-known for starting Balarinji Design Studio. This studio painted two Qantas airplanes with beautiful Aboriginal art.

John is a full member of the Yanyuwa people from where he was born. He has important connections to their Dreamings, like the rainbow serpent and kangaroo. He worked in high-level jobs for the government, helping with Aboriginal affairs. He has always supported Indigenous rights and Indigenous arts.

John Moriarty's Early Life and School

John Moriarty was born around 1938 in Borroloola, Australia. His mother was an Aboriginal woman named Kathleen. His father was an Irish man. When he was four years old, John was taken from his mother. This made him part of the Stolen Generation, a group of Aboriginal children removed from their families. He did not see his mother again for 10 years.

Before he was taken, John spoke only the Yanyuwa language. His Aboriginal name is Jumbana. His ceremonial name is Kundareri. Kundareri is a formal name for his culture and ceremonies. Jumbana is a more informal name, like a nickname, given by older people.

After the bombing of Darwin during World War II, John was moved from his school. He traveled through Alice Springs and Adelaide. He then went to a home for Aboriginal children in Mulgoa, near Sydney.

In 1949, he moved to St Francis House in Adelaide. There, he met other young Indigenous boys. Many of them, like Gordon Briscoe and Charlie Perkins, later became important Indigenous leaders. At St Francis, John started playing soccer. He loved the game and became very good at it.

In 1970, John Moriarty made history. He was the first Aboriginal person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree. He graduated from Flinders University. Later, he received a Churchill Fellowship, which helps people travel to learn new things.

Fighting for Indigenous Rights

In 1964, John Moriarty helped start the Aborigines' Progress Association in South Australia. He became the vice-president. This group worked hard for land rights for Aboriginal people. They also helped set up a legal service for Indigenous people. This service is now called an ATSILS.

In the 1970s, John was part of a committee. This committee ran the Aboriginal Publications Foundation. They published a magazine called Identity. This magazine was important for Indigenous people.

John Moriarty's Soccer Career

John Moriarty played association football (soccer) for teams in South Australia. He played for Port Thistle and Adelaide Juventus. Later, he played for Adelaide Croatia. His schoolmates, including his cousin Charlie Perkins, also played with him.

In 1960, John was chosen to play for the state team. To travel to Western Australia, he needed special permission. The soccer group had to ask the Protector of Aborigines. Also in 1960, John was the first known Indigenous Australian chosen for a national soccer team. He was picked to play for Australia in Hong Kong. But the trip was canceled.

John's soccer career ended after he was hurt in a game. He had played for South Australia 17 times. After he stopped playing, John joined the board of Adelaide Juventus.

John Moriarty Football Program

John Moriarty and his wife, Ros Moriarty, started John Moriarty Football (JMF). This program helps young Indigenous soccer players. It gives them scholarships and focuses on playing soccer from a young age. JMF has been praised by FIFA, the world soccer organization. Famous soccer players like Tim Cahill have also supported it. As of 2020, Craig Foster is on the board of JMF.

One young player who received a scholarship was Shay Evans. She played her first game for the Young Matildas in 2018. As of 2020, she plays in the W-League.

In November 2020, JMF started new scholarships. These scholarships offer soccer training and help with education. JMF also works with Football Australia. They offer coaching and leadership training. These programs focus on Indigenous people and equal chances for boys and girls. JMF is one of many projects run by the Moriarty Foundation.

Indigenous Football Week

Indigenous Football Week started in 2015. It is a project by JMF. It works with Football Australia, the PFA, SBS TV, NITV, and FOX Sports. The fifth Indigenous Football Week was celebrated in Indigenous communities. These communities were in the Northern Territory, New South Wales, and Queensland.

Australian rules footballer Adam Goodes was a supporter of Indigenous Football Week in 2020.

John Moriarty's Art and Design

In 1983, John Moriarty started the Jumbana Group in Adelaide. The Balarinji brand is the most famous part of this group.

In 1994, the Australian airline Qantas asked John to design art for a Boeing 747-400 airplane. The finished plane was called "Wunala Dreaming." It was the largest piece of Aboriginal art on something that could move. A second plane, a Boeing 747-300, was painted in 1995. It was called "Nalanji Dreaming."

John also helped paint two NR class locomotive trains. They were painted with Indigenous designs.

His wife, Ros Moriarty, is the managing director of the Jumbana Group. She is also the creative director of Balarinji Studio.

Other Important Roles

Before starting Balarinji, John Moriarty worked for the government. He worked in different departments that dealt with Aboriginal affairs.

From 1994 to 2004, John was on the board of Indigenous Business Australia.

He also served on many other boards and councils. These included the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust and the National Indigenous Council. He chaired the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board of the Australia Council. He also led the National Aboriginal Sports Corporation of Australia.

In 2000, John wrote a book about his life. It was called Saltwater Fella.

Awards and Honours for John Moriarty

• 1971 – Received a Churchill Fellowship
• 1992 – Named South Australian Aboriginal Businessman of the Year
• 1995 – Received an Advance Australia Award for his work in business
• 1997 – Given an Honorary doctorate from University of South Australia
• 2000 – Became a Member of the Order of Australia
• 2001 – Received the Flinders University Convocation Medal
• 2014 – Added to the Australian Design Hall of Fame
• 2015 – Added to the Football Australia Hall of Fame
• 2016 – Received another Honorary doctorate from Flinders University
• 2018 – Received the Diversity Award from FIFA

John Moriarty's Family Life

John and Ros Moriarty were married in 1982. Ros was born in Tasmania. She graduated from Australian National University. She worked as a journalist for Radio Australia. Later, she held important jobs in the Department of Aboriginal Affairs. She also received the Advance Australia Award. In 2010, Ros wrote her own book, Listening to Country.

John and Ros have three children together.