List of Indigenous Australian historical figures facts for kids

Some Indigenous Australians are remembered for their important roles in history. These include leaders during the time British people arrived and settled, and those who bravely resisted this settlement. Others helped Europeans explore the country. In the 20th century, many Indigenous Australians became well-known for their big contributions to human rights, land rights, the armed forces, and becoming part of parliament.

Early Leaders and Explorers (Before 1788)

This section looks at important Indigenous Australians who lived before the British arrived in 1788. They were leaders and key figures in their communities.

• Cumbo Gunnerah – An important leader of the Kamilaroi people in the 18th century. He lived near what is now Gunnedah, New South Wales.

Key Figures During British Settlement (1788–1888)

This period saw many Indigenous Australians playing vital roles as British settlement expanded. Some were leaders, some resisted, and others helped with communication and exploration.

First Contact and Communication

These individuals helped bridge the gap between Indigenous communities and the new British settlers.

• Arabanoo (c.1758–1789) – A Cammeraygal man. The British took him to help them talk with local Indigenous groups.
• Barangaroo (c.1750–1791) – A respected Cammeraygal woman. She was important during the early days of British settlement.
• Bennelong (c.1764–1813) – A representative of the Dharug people. He was a key person who talked with the British.
• Biraban (c. 1800–1846) – An Awabakal man. He worked as an interpreter and helped communication with the British.
• Bungaree (c.1775 – 1830) – A pioneering Dharug sailor and explorer. He traveled with famous explorers Matthew Flinders and Phillip Parker King.
• Coleby (c.1754–1806) – He was taken with Bennelong by the British. He later helped connect the Gadigal people and the colonists.
• Cora Gooseberry (c.1777–1852) – The wife of Bungaree. She was known as the Aboriginal 'Queen of Sydney'.
• Nanbaree (c.1782–1821) – A Gadigal man who survived a smallpox outbreak. He became an important interpreter and sailor.
• Patyegarang (c.1780–?) – A Cammeraygal girl. She was the first to teach an Aboriginal language in detail to the British.
• Yemmerrawanne (c. 1775–1794) – A Dharug man. He was one of the first Aboriginal people to travel to England, along with Bennelong.

Leaders and Community Figures

These individuals were respected leaders and important members of their communities.

• William Barak (1824–1903) – A ngurungaeta (leader) of the Wurundjeri people. He was also a police tracker and later a famous artist.
• Billibellary (1799–1846) – A ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri-willam clan.
• Derrimut (c.1810–1864) – An elder of the Bunurong people. He lived during the British settlement of Melbourne.
• William Lanne (c.1835–1869) – Also known as King Billy. He was the last surviving male of the Oyster Cove clan of Tasmanian Aborigines.
• Maria Lock (c.1808–1878) – A Boorooberongal Dharug student. She won first prize in a New South Wales examination in 1819.
• Tommy McRae (c.1835–1901) – A well-known artist.
• Mullawirraburka – A Kaurna leader. He worked to preserve his language and culture during colonisation.
• Simon Wonga (1824–1874) – A ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri people near Melbourne. He helped secure land for his people at Coranderrk. The suburb Wonga Park is named after him.
• Yarramundi – A prominent Dharug man and a respected spiritual leader (karadji).

Resistance and Resilience

Many Indigenous Australians bravely resisted the British expansion and defended their lands and people.

• Baulie (c.1835–1860) – A resistance leader. He helped organize the Hornet Bank massacre.
• Beilba (c.1825–1866) – Another resistance leader. He also helped organize the Hornet Bank massacre.
• Calyute – The leader of the Pindjarup people. He led his people during the Battle of Pinjarra.
• Cannabaygal (c.1770–1816) – A Gandangara resistance leader. He was killed during the Appin Massacre.
• Dundalli (1820–1855) – A strong resistance leader in South East Queensland during European settlement.
• Eumarrah (c.1798–1832) – An Indigenous Tasmanian resistance leader and guide.
• Jandamarra (c.1873—1897) – A Bunuba man. He bravely resisted European occupation of his lands.
• Kikatapula (c.1800–1832) – A Tasmanian Aboriginal resistance leader and guide.
• Luggenemenener (c.1800–1837) – A Tasmanian Aboriginal woman who survived the Black War. She was captured by John Batman, who had killed many of her people.
• Mannalargenna (c.1770–1835) – A Tasmanian Aboriginal leader of the Plangermaireener people.
• Maulboyheenner (c.1816–1842) – A Tasmanian Aboriginal resistance figure.
• Montpelliatta (c.1790–1836) – An Aboriginal Tasmanian resistance leader.
• Multuggerah – A resistance fighter of the Ugarapul nation from South East Queensland.
• Musquito (c.1780–1825) – A resistance leader from Sydney. He became a bushranger after being sent to Tasmania.
• Pemulwuy (c.1750–1802) – A member of the Dharug people from the Botany Bay area. He played a leading role in resisting British colonisation.
• Tarenorerer (c.1800–1831) – A female rebel leader of the Indigenous Australians in Tasmania. She led a group against the British colonists during the Black War.
• Tedbury (c.1780–1810) – An Aboriginal resistance fighter.
• Tongerlongeter (c.1790–1837) – A Tasmanian Aboriginal resistance leader.
• Tullamareena – A member of the Wirundgeri people from Melbourne.
• Tunnerminnerwait (c.1812–1842) – A Tasmanian Aboriginal Australian. He guided George Augustus Robinson and was executed for resisting British colonisation.
• Willemering (c.1755–c.1800) – A Dharug man who speared Governor Arthur Phillip.
• Windradyne (or Saturday) – A Wiradjuri man. He was a notable figure of the Aboriginal resistance during the Bathurst War.
• Yagan – A Western Australian leader in the 1830s.
• Yilbung (c.1815–1846) – A Turrbal man. He actively resisted British colonisation in the Brisbane region.

Explorers and Guides

Indigenous Australians often shared their deep knowledge of the land, guiding European explorers through unknown territories.

• Dick Barkinji (?) – An explorer and guide. He helped in the famous Burke and Wills expedition.
• Gnunga Gnunga Murremurgan (c.1773–1809) – An Eora man. He was the first Indigenous Australian to travel across the Pacific Ocean.
• Jackey Jackey (1833–1854) – He helped the Edmund Kennedy expedition into Cape York. He received a silver breastplate for his heroic actions.
• Mokare (c.1800–1831) – A Noongar guide and peacemaker.
• Moowattin (c.1791–1816) – A guide and assistant to the botanist George Caley.
• Nanya (c.1835–1895) – One of the last Indigenous Australians to live a traditional tribal lifestyle in New South Wales.
• Piper (c.1810–?) – A Wiradjuri explorer. He guided Thomas Mitchell in his 1836 expedition.
• Pul Kanta (c.1815–?) – A Maraura man. He survived the Rufus River massacre and later guided Charles Sturt.
• Topar (1826 – ?) – A Barkandji man. He led Charles Sturt into the Barrier Ranges, helping to establish Broken Hill.
• Turandurey (c.1806–?) – A Wiradjuri woman. She became a guide for the explorer Thomas Mitchell.
• Tommy Windich – A Western Australian explorer.
• Wylie – An Aboriginal guide. He stayed with Edward John Eyre during their crossing of the Nullarbor.
• Yuranigh – He provided vital help to Thomas Mitchell's 1845 expedition. He is highly honored by the Wiradjuri people.

Other Notable Figures

This section includes individuals who made unique contributions or were significant in other ways during this period.

• Bob Barrett (c.1795–1833) – A convict hunter.
• Dick-a-Dick (c.1834–1870) – A Wotjobaluk tracker and cricketer.
• Joe Flick (c.1865–1889) – An Indigenous Australian outlaw.
• Johnny Mullagh (1841–1891) – An Aboriginal cricketer. He was known for his amazing performance in the 1868 Aborigine cricket team's tour of England.
• Fanny Cochrane Smith (1834–1905) – The first Tasmanian Aboriginal Person born on Flinders Island.
• Truganini (c.1812–1876) – Often remembered as the last "full-blooded" Tasmanian Aboriginal person to have survived British colonisation.
• Wild Toby (c.1840–1883) – An Aboriginal bushranger from central Queensland.

Modern Leaders and Activists (1888 Onwards)

The 20th century saw a rise in Indigenous Australians fighting for their rights and making significant contributions to Australian society.

Advocates for Rights and Justice

These individuals championed Aboriginal human rights, land rights, and political representation.

• William Cooper (c.1861–1941) – A political activist and community leader. He was the first to lead a recognized national Aboriginal movement.
• Vincent Lingiari (1908 or 1919–1988) – A prominent Australian Aboriginal rights activist. He led the Gurindji people's fight for land rights.
• Eddie Mabo (1936–1992) – An iconic Indigenous Australian man from the Torres Strait Islands. He successfully fought for Indigenous land rights to be recognized in Australian law.
• Douglas Nicholls (1906–1988) – The first Aboriginal Australian to be knighted and hold a high government office (vice-regal).
• Charles Perkins (1936–2000) – A pioneering Indigenous activist, sportsman, and academic. He fought tirelessly for Aboriginal rights.
• David Unaipon or David Ngunaitponi (1872–1967) – A Ngarrindjeri preacher, inventor, and author. He is featured on the Australian $50 note.

Community and Military Service

Many Indigenous Australians have served their communities and their country with distinction.

• Billy Drumley (1853–1951) – A respected community leader.
• Bill Dunn – Involved in the Pilbara Strike. He was the first Aboriginal man to be granted a pastoral lease in Western Australia.
• Douglas Grant (1885–1951) – A massacre survivor and soldier for the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) during World War I.
• Cissy McLeod (1896–1928) – A notable community member.
• "Neighbour" – Awarded the Albert Medal for Lifesaving for his bravery.
• Nemarluk – A leader of the Chul-a-mar people. He fought against Europeans and Japanese around Darwin in the early 20th century.
• Reg Saunders (1920–1990) – The first Aboriginal Australian to become an officer in the Australian Army.
• Marion Leane Smith – A nurse who served during the First World War.
• Umbarra (King Merriman) – A late 19th-century elder of the Yuin people around Bermagui, New South Wales.
• Len Waters (1924–1993) – The first Aboriginal Australian military aviator. He was the only one to serve as a pilot for the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) during World War II.