List of Indigenous Australian firsts facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Didgeridoo, Boomerang, Torres Strait face mask, David Unaipon, Albert Namatjira, Noel Pearson, Ernie Dingo, David Gulpilil, Jessica Mauboy, David Wirrpanda, Cathy Freeman, Christine Anu
Total population
517,000, 2.5% of Australia's population (in 2006)
Languages
Several hundred Indigenous Australian languages (many extinct or nearly so), Australian English, Australian Aboriginal English, Torres Strait Creole, Kriol
Religion
Majority Christianity, with minority following traditional animist (Dreamtime) beliefs.
Related ethnic groups
see List of Indigenous Australian group names

Indigenous Australians are the first people who lived on the Australian continent and nearby islands. This includes the Aboriginal people from mainland Australia and Tasmania, and the Torres Strait Islanders from the islands north of Queensland. For a long time, Indigenous Australians faced unfair treatment and were separated from European Australians. This article highlights important "firsts" – special achievements and milestones that helped change these unfair rules and build a more equal society.

Amazing Firsts by Indigenous Australians

Early Encounters and Achievements

• 1606
  • The first known meeting between Indigenous Australians and Europeans happened in Mapoon, Queensland.

The 18th Century

First Steps in the 1780s

• 1788
  • Arabanoo was the first Indigenous Australian known to live among Europeans.

Milestones in the 1790s

• 1793
  • The first Indigenous Australian song was performed in Europe by Bennelong and Yemmerrawanne.
• 1796
  • Bennelong became the first Indigenous Australian to appear in a printed book.

The 19th Century

Breaking New Ground in the 1800s

• 1802
  • Bungaree was the first Indigenous Australian to sail all the way around Australia.

Land and Sport in the 1810s and 1830s

• 1815
  • Bungaree was also the first Indigenous Australian to be given land by the new colonial government.
• 1835
  • Shiney was the first Indigenous Australian recorded playing a Western sport, cricket in Hobart.
• 1836
  • The Flinders Island Chronicle was the first publication written and printed only by Indigenous Australians.

Rights and Recognition in the 1850s and 1860s

• 1856
  • Indigenous Australian men in South Australia were first given the right to vote in elections.
• 1864
  • Parts of the Bible were first published in an Indigenous Australian language (Ngarrindjeri).
• 1868
  • The first Australian cricket team to tour overseas was made up of Australian Aboriginal people. They were also the first Australian sporting team to represent the country abroad.

Sporting and Religious Firsts in the 1870s and 1880s

• 1870
  • Twopenny was the first Indigenous Australian to play first-class cricket, which is the highest level of the sport.
• 1871
  • James Unaipon became the first Indigenous Australian to become a deacon, a type of church leader.
• 1883
  • Bobby Kinnear was the first Indigenous Australian to win the Stawell Gift, a famous footrace.
• 1889
  • Harry Hewitt was the first Indigenous Australian to play in a major Australian rules football league, the South Australian Football Association (now SANFL).

Voting Rights and Recordings in the 1890s

• 1893
  • Frank Ivory was the first Indigenous Australian to play representative rugby union for Queensland.
• 1895
  • Indigenous Australian women in South Australia were first given the right to vote in elections.
• 1897
  • The New Testament was first translated into an Indigenous Australian language (Dieri).
• 1899
  • Fanny Cochrane Smith was the first Indigenous Australian to have her voice recorded.

The 20th Century

Early 1900s Sporting Achievements

• 1900
  • Jimmy Melbourne was the first Indigenous Australian to regularly play in a major Australian rules football league (WAFL).
• 1904
  • Joe Johnson was the first Indigenous Australian to play in the Victorian Football League (VFL).
• 1909
  • George Green was the first Indigenous Australian to play first-grade rugby league.

Bravery and Ordination in the 1910s

• 1912
  • Jerry Jerome was the first Indigenous Australian to win a national boxing title (middleweight).
  • Neighbour was the first Indigenous Australian to receive a medal for bravery, the Albert Medal.
• 1916
  • Maitland Madge was the first Indigenous Australian to be awarded the Military Medal in World War I.
• 1919
  • Joseph Lui and Poey Passi were the first Torres Strait Islanders to become deacons in the Anglican Church.

Touring and Publishing in the 1920s

• 1925
  • Glen Crouch was the first Indigenous Australian to tour overseas as part of an open sporting team (Queensland rugby league team to New Zealand).
  • James Noble (clergyman) was the first Aboriginal Australian to become a deacon in the Anglican Church.
  • Joseph Lui and Poey Passi were also the first Torres Strait Islanders to become priests in the Anglican Church.
• 1927
  • David Unaipon was the first Indigenous Australian to have a book published, called Aboriginal Legends.
• 1929
  • Lynch Cooper was the first Indigenous Australian to win the World Professional Sprint Championship.

Protests and Progress in the 1930s and 1940s

• 1932
  • Sam Dintibana created the first literary writing in an Indigenous Australian language (Dieri).
• 1935
  • Doug Nicholls was the first Indigenous Australian to be chosen for the Victorian interstate Australian rules team.
• 1938
  • The first major national Indigenous day of protest took place on Australia Day, organised by the Aborigines Progressive Association.
• 1939
  • The Cummeragunja walk-off was the first mass strike by Indigenous Australians.
• 1944
  • Reg Saunders was the first Indigenous Australian to become an officer in the Australian armed forces.
  • Len Waters was the first Indigenous military pilot.
• 1949
  • The Division of Bennelong was the first federal voting area named after an Indigenous Australian, in honour of Bennelong.

Citizenship and Education in the 1950s

• 1950
  • Gwoya Jungarai was the first named Indigenous Australian to appear on an Australian stamp.
• 1954
  • Lois (Lowitja) O’Donoghue was the first Indigenous nurse in South Australia.
• 1957
  • Albert Namatjira was the first Indigenous Australian to become an Australian citizen.
  • Margaret Williams-Weir was the first Indigenous Australian to enroll in university.
• 1958
  • Faith Coulthard was the first Indigenous Australian woman chosen for a national sporting team (cricket).
  • "Give the Coloured Boy a Chance," written by Jimmy Little, Snr and recorded by Jimmy Little, was the first song written and recorded by Indigenous Australians.
• 1959
  • Jimmy Little was the first Indigenous Australian entertainer to appear on television.
  • Margaret Williams-Weir was the first Indigenous Australian to earn a university qualification.

Olympic Dreams and Legal Rights in the 1960s

• 1960
  • Kevin Coombes was the first Indigenous Australian to compete at the Paralympics.
  • Lionel Morgan was the first Indigenous Australian to represent Australia in rugby league.
• 1962
  • Jeff Dynevor won the first Gold Medal at the Commonwealth Games for an Indigenous Australian (bantamweight boxing).
  • Georgia Lee released the first album by an Indigenous Australian, Georgia Lee Sings the Blues Down Under.
  • Lloyd McDermott was the first Indigenous Australian to represent Australia in rugby union.
  • Indigenous Australians were first given the right to enroll and vote in Australian federal elections.
• 1963
  • Jimmy Little had the first number one hit on the Australian music charts for an Indigenous Australian with "Royal Telephone."
  • The Yirrkala bark petitions were the first time Indigenous Australians were officially recognised in Australian law regarding land rights.
• 1964
  • Oodgeroo Noonuccal published the first book of poems by an Indigenous Australian, We Are Going.
  • Michael Ah Matt, Adrian Blair and Frank Roberts were the first Indigenous Australians to compete in an Olympic Games.
• 1965
  • Colin Dillon was the first Indigenous Australian police officer.
• 1966
  • Charles Perkins and Margaret Valadian were the first Indigenous Australian university graduates.
• 1967
  • Indigenous Australians were allowed to be counted in the Australian census for the first time.
• 1968
  • Lionel Rose became the first Indigenous Australian to become a world champion (bantamweight boxing).
  • Lionel Rose was also the first Indigenous Australian to be named Australian of the Year.
• 1969
  • The Milirrpum v Nabalco case was the first legal challenge for Aboriginal land rights.

Parliament, Arts, and Sport in the 1970s

• 1970
  • Harry Williams was the first Indigenous Australian to play soccer for Australia.
  • Patrick Brisbane was the first Aboriginal Australian to become a priest in the Anglican Church.
• 1971
  • Neville Bonner was the first Indigenous Australian to sit in the Parliament of Australia.
  • The Cherry Pickers by Kevin Gilbert was the first play written by an Indigenous Australian performed in mainstream theatre.
  • Evonne Goolagong was the first Indigenous Australian to win a Grand Slam tennis event (French Open).
  • The Australian Aboriginal Flag was first flown in public, designed by Harold Thomas.
• 1972
  • "Nindethana," founded by Jack Charles and Bob Maza, was the first Indigenous Australian theatre company.
  • Blackfire by Bruce McGuinness and Martin Bartfeld was the first film made by an Indigenous Australian.
  • Douglas Nicholls was the first Indigenous Australian to receive a knighthood.
• 1973
  • Frank Reys was the first Indigenous Australian jockey to win the Melbourne Cup, a famous horse race.
  • Arthur Beetson was the first Indigenous Australian to captain Australia (Rugby League).
  • Basically Black was the first television show with an all-Aboriginal cast.
• 1974
  • Hyacinth Tungutalum was the first Indigenous Australian elected to a state or territory parliament.
• 1975
  • Maryann Bin-Salik was the first Indigenous Australian to be employed as a lecturer in Australia's university sector.
• 1976
  • Sir Douglas Nicholls was the first Indigenous Australian to hold a vice-regal office as Governor of South Australia.
  • Patricia O’Shane was the first Indigenous Australian Barrister.
  • Lois (Lowitja) O’Donoghue was the first Indigenous Australian woman to be awarded an Order of Australia.
• 1977
  • Neville Perkins was the first Indigenous Australian to hold a shadow portfolio in a parliament (Northern Territory).
  • Newcastle City Council was the first city council to fly the Aboriginal flag.
• 1979
  • Mark Tutton was the first Indigenous Australian to represent Australia in volleyball.
  • Patricia O'Shane was the first woman appointed to the New South Wales Metropolitan Water, Sewerage and Drainage Board.
  • Len Hayward was the first Indigenous Principal in Western Australia.

Leadership and Professional Firsts in the 1980s

• 1980
  • Bill Jonas was the first Indigenous Australian to receive a PhD, a very high university degree.
  • Jim Hagan was the first Indigenous Australian to officially speak at the United Nations.
• 1981
  • Patricia O'Shane was the first Aboriginal person and first woman to become a permanent head of a government department in Australia.
• 1982
  • Virginia Wykes was the first Indigenous Australian woman to get a private pilot's licence.
  • Maurice Rioli was the first Indigenous Australian to win the Norm Smith Medal in Australian rules football.
• 1983
  • Dr Helen Milroy was the first Indigenous Australian to become a medical doctor.
• 1984
  • Charles Perkins was the first Indigenous Australian to become the permanent head of a federal government department.
• 1985
  • Channel 4 Yuendumu was the first Indigenous Australian television station.
  • Arthur Malcolm was the first Indigenous Australian bishop of the Anglican Church of Australia.
• 1986
  • Ernie Bridge was the first Indigenous Australian Minister of the Crown in Western Australia.
  • Marcia Ella-Duncan was the first Indigenous Australian to represent Australia in netball.
• 1987
  • Pat Dudgeon was the first Indigenous Australian psychologist.
• 1989
  • Gilbert McAdam was the first Indigenous Australian to win the Magarey Medal in Australian rules football.

Olympic Gold and Legal Milestones in the 1990s

• 1990
  • Cathy Freeman won the first international track medal for an Indigenous Australian (bronze, 4 × 400 m relay, 1990 Commonwealth Games).
  • Bran Nue Dae was the first Indigenous Australian rock opera.
• 1991
  • Lorelle Morrissey was the first Indigenous Australian woman to represent Australia in hockey.
• 1992
  • Cathy Freeman was the first Indigenous Australian woman chosen for the Olympic Games.
  • The Torres Strait Islander Flag was flown for the first time.
• 1993
  • Gavin Wanganeen was the first Indigenous Australian to win a Brownlow Medal in Australian rules football.
• 1994
  • Pat O'Shane was the first Indigenous Australian to be appointed a university Chancellor at the University of New England.
• 1995
  • Joe Schmidt was the first Indigenous Australian to graduate as a veterinary surgeon.
• 1996
  • Nova Peris won the first Gold Medal at the Olympic Games for an Indigenous Australian (hockey).
  • Jason Gillespie was the first Indigenous Australian to play Test cricket.
  • Bob Bellear was the first Indigenous Australian to be appointed a judge.
• 1997
  • The Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts (ACPA) was the first Indigenous performing arts centre.
  • Mark Ella was the first Indigenous Australian elected to the International Rugby Hall of Fame.
• 1999
  • Kathryn Hay was the first Indigenous Australian to become Miss Australia.
• 2000
  • Cathy Freeman won the first individual Olympic gold medal for an Indigenous Australian (400m, 2000 Summer Olympics).

The 21st Century

Political and Medical Achievements in the 2000s

• 2001
  • Carol Martin was the first Indigenous Australian woman elected to an Australian parliament.
• 2003
  • Marion Scrymgour was the first Indigenous Australian woman Minister of the Crown.
  • Lesley Salem was the first Indigenous Nurse Practitioner in Australia.
  • Sandra Eades was the first Indigenous medical practitioner to be awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy.
• 2006
  • Kelvin Kong was the first Indigenous Australian surgeon.
• 2008
  • Nathan Jawai was the first Indigenous Australian to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA) in the USA.
• 2009
  • Yulki Nunggumajbarr was the first Indigenous Australian woman to become an Anglican remote area priest.

Global Recognition and New Frontiers in the 2010s

• 2010
  • Megan Davis was the first Indigenous Australian woman elected to a United Nations body.
  • Narelle Long and Malcolm Lynch were the first Indigenous Australians to set foot on Antarctica.
  • Dan Christian was the first Indigenous Australian to play international Twenty20 cricket.
  • Ken Wyatt was the first Indigenous Australian elected to the Australian House of Representatives.
• 2011
  • Rebecca Richards was the first Indigenous Australian Rhodes Scholar, allowing her to study at Oxford University.
• 2012
  • Karen Kime was the first Indigenous Australian woman archdeacon in the Anglican Church.
  • Scott Gardiner was the first Indigenous Australian to join golf's PGA Tour.
  • Lilly Brown was the first Indigenous Australian to study at the University of Cambridge.
  • Matthew Myers was the first Indigenous Australian appointed to a federal court.
• 2013
  • Adam Giles was the first Indigenous Australian to become a head of government (Northern Territory).
  • Damien Miller was the first Indigenous Australian appointed as head of an overseas mission (Denmark).
  • The Aboriginal flag was flown over an overseas military base (Al Minhad Air Base, United Arab Emirates) for the first time.
  • Nova Peris was the first Indigenous Australian woman elected to the Australian parliament.
• 2015
  • Leeanne Enoch was the first Indigenous Australian woman elected to the Queensland Parliament.
  • Ken Wyatt was the first Indigenous Australian to be appointed a federal frontbench minister.
  • Tony McAvoy was the first Indigenous Australian to become a Queen's Counsel, a high legal title.
  • Denise Mary Champion was the first Indigenous Australian woman to be ordained to Christian ministry in South Australia.
• 2016
  • Linda Burney was the first Indigenous Australian woman elected to the Australian House of Representatives.
  • Isaiah Firebrace was the first Indigenous Australian to win the X Factor.
• 2017
  • Ken Wyatt was the first Indigenous Australian to be appointed a minister in the Commonwealth Government (Minister for Indigenous Health).
• 2018
  • Harley Windsor was the first Indigenous Australian to compete in a Winter Olympics (figure skating).
• 2019
  • Twelve-year-old Indigenous Australian Dujuan Hoosan became the youngest person to speak at the UN Human Rights Council.

Recent Milestones in the 2020s

• 2020
  • Madison Prespakis was the first Indigenous Australian to win AFLW Best and Fairest.