1860
William Cooper (1860-1941)
William Cooper (1860–1941) was an influential Aboriginal Australian activist and community leader. Born in Yorta Yorta country in Victoria, Cooper grew up witnessing the injustices faced by Aboriginal people. He dedicated his life to advocating for civil rights, land rights, and political representation for Aboriginal Australians. In 1938, he organized a Day of Mourning protest, marking one of the earliest Aboriginal civil rights events in Australia. Cooper also famously lodged a petition to King George VI in protest of the treatment of Indigenous Australians, though it was never delivered. He died in 1941, but his work paved the way for future Aboriginal activism and remains a cornerstone of Australian civil rights history.
1879
Fred Maynard (1879-1946)
Fred Maynard was an Aboriginal Australian leader and activist best known for founding the Australian Aboriginal Progressive Association (AAPA) in 1924. Born in Hinton, New South Wales, he grew up during a time when Aboriginal rights were severely restricted. Maynard became a prominent voice for Aboriginal rights, focusing on land rights, cultural preservation, and self-determination.
1901
Pearl Gibbs (1901-1983)
Pearl Gibbs was a prominent Aboriginal Australian activist and feminist who dedicated her life to fighting for the rights of Indigenous Australians. Born in Botany Bay, New South Wales, she became a leading figure in the Aboriginal Progressive Association and played a crucial role in organizing the 1938 Day of Mourning, one of the first national civil rights gatherings for Aboriginal people. Gibbs was a tireless advocate for equal rights, citizenship, and welfare benefits for Indigenous communities. Throughout her life, she worked to improve the social, economic, and political conditions of Aboriginal Australians, making her one of the most influential activists in Australia’s history.
1936
Eddie Mabo (1936-1992)
Eddie Mabo was a Torres Strait Islander activist whose fight for land rights led to a landmark legal victory in Australia. Born on Murray Island (Mer) in the Torres Strait, Mabo challenged the concept of terra nullius (land belonging to no one), under which British colonizers had claimed Australia. In 1982, he initiated a legal case seeking recognition of his people’s traditional land ownership. The case, known as the Mabo Case, culminated in a historic ruling by the High Court of Australia in 1992, recognizing native title and overturning terra nullius. This decision paved the way for Indigenous land rights in Australia. Mabo passed away just months before the ruling, but his legacy remains a foundation for Indigenous rights in the country.