Les Bursill facts for kids
Leslie "Les" William Bursill (1945–2019) was a respected historian, archaeologist, and Elder of the Dharawal people, an Aboriginal Australian group. He was born in Hurstville, New South Wales, and dedicated his life to learning about and protecting the history and culture of his people.
Les Bursill's family roots are in the Dharawal lands between Kangaroo Valley and the coast near Nowra. He received many honors for his work, including the prestigious Order of Australia Medal (OAM). He was also a teacher, a writer, and a leader in his community.
Contents
Early Life and Service
When Les was 18, he joined the Citizen Military Forces, a part-time army reserve. A few years later, in 1966, he was called to serve full-time in the Australian Army. For his military service, he later received the National Service Medal and the Australian Defence Medal.
After leaving the army, he worked for many years at the Sydney Morning Herald newspaper. He and his first wife, Barbara, settled in Engadine, where they raised their three children. Later in life, Les moved back to his traditional country near Nowra.
A Lifelong Learner
Les Bursill believed in the power of education. While working, he earned a degree in History and Archaeology from the University of New England. His wife Barbara also studied there. Les went on to get a Master's degree, focusing on the anthropology (the study of human societies and cultures) of the Aboriginal people of Sydney.
His knowledge led him to many important jobs. He worked for the New South Wales (NSW) government, where he helped create programs to support Aboriginal people in prisons. He also taught at the University of Sydney and for the New South Wales Police Service, sharing his knowledge about health and culture.
Protecting Dharawal Heritage
Les made a huge contribution to preserving the history of the Dharawal people. He was an archaeologist, which means he studied the past by looking at physical objects and sites. He personally found and recorded around 300 important Aboriginal sites in the Sutherland Shire area of Sydney. These sites include rock art and ancient tools, which tell the story of his ancestors.
For over 30 years, he was a member of the Sutherland Shire Historical Society. He helped create a digital collection of the area's history, making it easier for everyone to learn about its heritage.
Sharing Knowledge Through Books
Les wanted to share the stories and language of the Dharawal people with a wider audience. In 2007, he co-wrote a book about his community's history. He also helped create a vocabulary list of Dharawal words, which helps people understand the local environment from a Dharawal point of view.
He started a local history journal called Doryanthes, named after the Gymea Lily flower that grows in the area. He also founded Dharawal Publishing Inc. to produce more books and online materials about his culture. Some of his books include A Collection of Dharawal Words and Phrases and The Story of Deeban, The Bay of the Whales and Creation Serpent.
Working for the Community
Les was a true community leader. He was the chairman of the Sutherland Shire Council Aboriginal Advisory Committee, where he gave advice on issues important to Aboriginal people. He was also a founding member of the Kurranulla Aboriginal Corporation.
He was appointed as a legatee for Legacy Australia, an organization that cares for the families of Australian soldiers who have passed away. He served as chairman for his local division of Legacy, showing his commitment to helping others.
Famous Words
Les Bursill shared his wisdom through his words. Here are a few of his quotes:
- "Meaning is for those who are ready for it, for those who are trained for it. The rest get pretty pictures."*
- “Once you accept that this is it, then life truly demands that you do your utmost with what you have here."*
- "Yura marri ngara yanga marri, barrbanga gurlibuwa"*
(This is a Dharawal motto that means: "People become great as they hear and do good things as they learn to copy the proper way of doing things.")
