List of Indigenous Australian historical figures

Some Indigenous Australians are remembered in history for leadership prior to European colonisation, some for their resistance to that colonisation, others for assisting Europeans explore the country. Some became infamous for their deeds, and others noted as the last of their communities.

Prior to 1788[]

• Cumbo Gunnerah – 18th century leader of the Kamilaroi people near Gunnedah, New South Wales

1788–1888[]

• William Barak (1824–1903) – ngurungaeta of Wurundjeri, police tracker, then artist
• Bennelong – representative of the Eora People at the time Port Jackson was settled
• Billibellary (1799–1846) – ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri-willam clan
• Calyute – leader of the Pindjarup people at the time of the Battle of Pinjarra
• Derrimut – Bunurong elder during European settlement of Melbourne
• Dundalli (1820–1855) – Resistance leader in South East Queensland during European Settlement
• Jackey Jackey – assisted Edmund Kennedy expedition into Cape York and awarded solid silver breastplate for heroic deeds.
• Jandamarra – Bunuba man who resisted European occupation
• William Lanne – King Billy, last surviving male of the Oyster Cove clan of Tasmanian Aborigines
• Mannalargenna – Tasmanian Aboriginal Person of the Plangermaireener people
• Mokare – Noongar guide and peacemaker
• Johnny Mullagh – Aboriginal cricketer who was known for his remarkable performance in the 1868 Aborigine cricket team's tour of England.
• Musquito – originally from Sydney, became a bushranger following transportation to Tasmania
• Tommy Windich – Western Australian explorer
• Pemulwuy – member of the Eora people (Botany Bay) area
• Fanny Cochrane Smith – first Tasmanian Aboriginal Person born on Flinders Island
• Truganini – last surviving full-blooded Tasmanian Aboriginal Person
• Tullamareena – member of Wirundgeri, Melbourne
• Simon Wonga (1824–1874) – ngurungaeta of the Wurundjeri people around Melbourne who secured land at Coranderrk, and the suburb Wonga Park was named after him
• Yagan – Western Australian leader in 1830s
• Wylie – Aboriginal guide who stayed with Edward John Eyre in their crossing of the Nullarbor
• Mullawirraburka – Kaurna leader preserving his language and culture during colonisation

1888 onwards[]

• Billy Drumley (1853–1951) – community leader
• Nemarluk – leader of the Chul-a-mar, who fought European and Japanese around Darwin in the early 20th century
• Umbarra (King Merriman) – late 19th century elder of the Yuin around Bermagui, New South Wales
• 1914 Cissy McLeod^[1]
• 1911 'Neighbour' awarded the Albert Medal for Lifesaving^[2][3]
• Marion Leane Smith – First World War nurse

References[]