Paul Coe facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paul Coe
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Coe in 1970
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Paul Thomas Coe
4 February 1949 Erambie Mission, New South Wales, Australia
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| Died | 29 July 2025 (aged 76) |
| Alma mater | Cowra High School |
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| Years active | 1967–1990s |
Paul Thomas Coe (born 4 February 1949 – died 29 July 2025) was an important Australian activist. He worked hard to improve the rights of Aboriginal people. Paul Coe was a Wiradjuri man, born at Erambie Mission in Cowra. He is remembered for his strong efforts to help Aboriginal communities. He played a key role in the 1967 referendum campaign and helped set up the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in 1972.
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Who Was Paul Coe?
Paul Thomas Coe was born on 4 February 1949. His birthplace was Erambie Mission, near Cowra in New South Wales. He was a proud Wiradjuri man. His grandfather was Paul Joseph Coe.
Early Life and School Days
Paul Coe achieved something special at Cowra High School. He was the first Aboriginal student there to pass the Higher School Certificate. This is a big exam that helps students go to university. He was also chosen as a prefect, which means he helped lead other students. Paul received a scholarship from women's groups. This scholarship helped him attend high school for three years.
Fighting for Aboriginal Rights
Paul Coe was a very active person. He worked hard for the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. He joined important campaigns.
The 1967 Referendum
One big campaign was for the 1967 referendum. A referendum is when people vote on a big change to the country's rules. This vote was about changing the Australian Constitution. It aimed to give the Australian Government power to make laws for Aboriginal people. It also aimed to include Aboriginal people in the national census. Paul Coe helped tell people about this important vote.
The Aboriginal Tent Embassy
In 1972, Paul Coe helped set up the Aboriginal Tent Embassy. This was a protest camp outside Parliament House in Canberra. It was a way to show the government that Aboriginal people wanted their rights recognized. Paul worked with other leaders like Pearl Gibbs, Chicka Dixon, and Billy Craigie. They fought for basic human rights and fairness. In 1979, Paul Coe and others even camped there again. They wanted the government to create an Aboriginal bill of rights.
Starting the Aboriginal Legal Service
Paul Coe also helped create the Aboriginal Legal Service in 1970. This was a very important step. It was the first free legal help service in Australia. It helped Aboriginal people get legal advice and support. Paul Coe played a big part in this service for many years. He worked there until the late 1990s.
Seeking Justice in Court
In 1979, Paul Coe took a case to the High Court of Australia. This is the highest court in Australia. He argued that Aboriginal people were the first inhabitants of Australia. He believed their rights should be recognized before European settlement. His case was not successful at that time. However, it was an important step in raising awareness about Aboriginal land rights.
Paul Coe's Later Years
Paul Coe was a lawyer for some time. Later, he stopped practicing law. This happened after a professional review in 1997. The review found that he was not able to meet certain professional standards required for lawyers. Even so, the court recognized his important work. They praised his efforts in helping the Aboriginal community.
Paul Coe passed away on 29 July 2025. He was 76 years old. His life showed a strong dedication to fighting for justice and rights.
