Ruby Hammond facts for kids

Ruby Florence Hammond (1936 – 16 April 1993) was an important Australian leader. She worked hard for the rights of Aboriginal people. Ruby Hammond was the first Aboriginal person from South Australia to try and get elected to the Australian Parliament.

Ruby was born in 1936 in Blackford. This was an independent Aboriginal community in South Australia. She was part of the Tanganekald group. They are part of the Ngarrindjeri people from the Coorong. Ruby finished school in 1952. She faced racism while working in a shop. This experience showed her the unfairness Aboriginal people faced.

Fighting for Aboriginal Rights

Ruby Hammond became very active in the 1970s and 1980s. She worked to get equal rights for Aboriginal people. When she was 32, she joined the Council of Aboriginal Women of South Australia. This group helped Aboriginal women.

Working for Change

Ruby held important jobs where she could make a difference.

• She worked at the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement. This group helps Aboriginal people with legal issues.
• She also worked for the Department of Personnel and Industrial Relations.
• She was part of the National Women's Consultative Council. This council advised the government on women's issues.

In 1977, Ruby helped with a big study. It was about whether Aboriginal traditional laws should be recognized in Australia. The study found that these laws were important to Aboriginal people. It suggested that Aboriginal people should decide how their traditional laws are recognized.

Speaking Up for a Treaty

In 1975, the government asked Ruby to join a special committee. This committee was for International Women's Year. In 1980, Ruby spoke about the need for a treaty. A treaty is an agreement between two groups or nations. She said it should recognize that Aboriginal people were the first people of Australia. She believed it was an agreement between two nations.

Running for Parliament

In 1988, Ruby Hammond made history. She ran in an election for the area of Port Adelaide. This made her the first Aboriginal person from South Australia to try and get elected to the Australian Parliament.

Important Roles and Awards

Ruby continued her important work. In 1990, she led a special unit. This unit was part of the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. This commission looked into why Aboriginal people were dying in police custody. From 1991 to 1993, she worked for the South Australian Department of Arts and Cultural Heritage. She helped with Aboriginal cultural matters.

In 1991, Ruby joined with famous singer Archie Roach. They publicly asked for an investigation. This was into the Stolen Generations. This refers to Aboriginal children who were taken from their families.

In January 1993, Ruby received a special award. It was the Australian Public Service Medal. This award recognized her great work for the public. The Governor of South Australia, Dame Roma Mitchell, gave her the medal. After she passed away in 1993, she received another award. It was for her achievements in equal opportunity.

Legacy

Ruby Hammond's contributions are still remembered today.

• In 2002, an artwork was created in Reconciliation Place, Canberra. It honors Ruby's work for Aboriginal people. Her son, "Munnari" John Hammond, designed this artwork.
• An area for elections in South Australia is named after her. It is called the electoral district of Hammond.
• Her name is also on the Port Adelaide Workers Memorial. This memorial remembers important workers.