Tommy George facts for kids
Tommy George Sr. (born around 20 September 1928 – died 29 July 2016) was an important elder from the Kuku Thaypan people. He lived on the Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, Australia. He was the last person who could speak the Awu Laya language fluently. This language is also known as the Gugu Thaypan language.
Contents
About Tommy George Sr.
His Early Life and Family
Tommy George Sr. was born in his traditional country. This area is close to what is now Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park. When he was a child, he and his older brother, George Musgrave, faced a big challenge. A kind station owner named Fredrick Sheppard hid them in mailbags. This was to stop police and welfare officers from taking them away from their families.
Because they stayed with their people, Tommy and George learned many important things. They learned their traditional laws and language. They also learned how to care for their land and how to find food from nature. Later in their lives, they successfully showed that their family had always owned their traditional lands. They were able to keep some land at a place called Gno-Coom (Saxby Waterhole).
Working for His Community
Tommy George Sr. and his brother George started many important groups. They founded the Ang-Gnarra Aboriginal Corporation in Laura, Queensland. They also helped create the Laura Festival of Traditional Dance and Culture. This festival happens every two years and celebrates their culture. They also started the Traditional Knowledge Recording Project (Mulong) with Victor Steffensen. Another important group they helped create was the Cape York Land Council.
They worked hard to protect the famous Quinkan rock art near Laura. This art is known all over the world. They acted as guardians for these special art sites. They also shared their deep knowledge of the bush, their language, and their customs with many researchers and visitors. For example, they helped the Sámi communities in Northern Finland learn how to record their own traditional knowledge. Many experts who study language, culture, or land in Cape York Peninsula often mention Tommy and George's great knowledge.
Working as a Stockman and Ranger
For many years, Tommy George Sr. worked as a stockman on cattle farms in Cape York Peninsula. He loved this work, but he was rarely paid for it. He married Laura Gordon (whose maiden name was Banjo) in Laura. They had six children together.
Later, he became a ranger. He spent many years looking after the rock art in the Laura area. This land belonged to his wife's family. He worked hard to protect the art and helped record and explain the many stories and traditions connected to it. He also shared stories about his own Kuku Thaypan country.
Awards and Recognition
In 2005, James Cook University gave Tommy George Sr. an honorary Doctorate of Letters. This was to recognize his great knowledge of nature. His older brother, Dr. George Musgrave, also received this award at the same time.
Tommy George Sr. passed away in the Cooktown, Queensland Hospital on 29 July 2016.
Films Featuring Tommy George Sr.
- Tommy George Sr. appears in the documentary film The Last Trackers of the Outback. This film also features his brother, George Musgrave.
- He is also in a short film called "The Sugar Bag Project".
