Lewis O'Brien (Kaurna elder) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lewis O'Brien
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| Born |
Lewis O'Brien
25 March 1930 Point Pearce, South Australia, Australia
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| Nationality | Australian |
| Other names | Yarlupurka or Yerloburka, Uncle Lewis |
| Known for | Educator and leader |
| Spouse(s) | Pauline Sansbury |
Lewis William Arthur O'Brien, known as Yarlupurka AO, was born on 25 March 1930. He is often called Uncle Lewis O'Brien. He is a respected Aboriginal Australian elder from the Kaurna people. He has spent his life working to improve education and understanding of Aboriginal culture.
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Growing Up and Learning
Lewis O'Brien was born in Point Pearce Mission in South Australia. This was on the Yorke Peninsula. He was born on 25 March 1930. Lewis never met his father, who left before he was born. His mother was Gladys Florence Simpson. She was the granddaughter of Kudnarto.
Lewis was often sick as a child. When he was 12, the state became his guardian. He lived in different foster homes and boys' homes until he was 18. He later lived with his "Auntie Glad" in Thebarton, near Adelaide. He once wrote that he looked more Irish than Aboriginal. He said kids on the mission called him "the white kid". But he grew up with his Aboriginal grandparents.
He went to school at Point Pearce, Ethelton Primary, and Payneham Primary. He finished his Intermediate Certificate in 1946. This was at Le Fevre Boys Technical High School. It was very hard for him to do this. After school, he became an apprentice. He learned to be a fitter and machinist. He finished his training in 1952.
During his later school years, Lewis lived at Kumanka Boys' Hostel in North Adelaide. He remembered his time there fondly. He said the people who ran the hostel helped him a lot with his education.
Working for His Community
In the 1960s, Lewis O'Brien started helping Aboriginal Australians. He joined groups like the first Aboriginal Community Centre. He also joined the Aboriginal Advancement League. He helped many important groups. These included the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission. He also worked with heritage, sport, and recreation committees in South Australia.
In 1977, he began working in schools. He taught about Kaurna language and culture. He also supported Indigenous students. He helped them finish their education. He worked as a liaison officer for the South Australian Education Department.
In 2002, Lewis O'Brien helped start Kaurna Warra Pintyanthi. This group works to bring back the Kaurna language. He started it with scholar Alitya Wallara Rigney and linguist Rob Amery. The name means "creating Kaurna language".
He worked in Aboriginal education for over 30 years. He also did a lot of research. He was a research fellow at the University of South Australia. He is also a Senior Elder on Campus at Flinders University.
His Names
In his book from 2007, Lewis O'Brien wrote about his names. He sometimes used Warritya, which means "second born male". Later, he used Yerloburka. This means "old man of the sea". It might be from his time in the merchant navy. In 2021, he started using the spelling Yarlupurka. This was after the Kaurna alphabet was made clearer.
His Story in a Book
In 2007, Lewis O'Brien published his life story. It is called And the clock struck thirteen: The life and thoughts of Kaurna Elder Uncle Lewis Yerloburka O'Brien. Mary-Anne Gale helped him write it. It was published by Wakefield Press.
Awards and Recognition
Lewis O'Brien has received many awards for his work:
- 1977: Aboriginal Elder of the Year
- 2001: Centenary Medal, for his service to Aboriginal people in South Australia.
- 2009: Citizen of Humanity, from the National Committee of Human Rights.
- 2014: Officer of the Order of Australia. This was for his great service as an elder and educator. It also recognized his work to protect Indigenous culture.
- 2019: Winner of the Premier's NAIDOC Award in South Australia.
- 2021: The Law Building at the University of South Australia was renamed. It is now the Lewis O'Brien/Yarlupurka Building. It houses the Aboriginal Knowledges Centre.
Family Life
In 1957, Lewis O'Brien married Pauline Sansbury. They had five sons and one daughter. Pauline grew up mostly in the city. Her father, Eddie Sansbury, had grown up in Point Pearce. He later lived with the O'Brien family.
In 2006, Lewis met his half-siblings. They were his father's second family. They had moved to Australia.
