Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker) [1920 - 1993]
Born on Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah), in Moreton Bay.
Once she was taught to read as a child, she set about learning the meaning of every word in the English dictionary.
A proud, strong, determined woman who spent her life educating non- Indigenous and Indigenous people about the importance of equality, education and tolerance towards Indigenous Australia.
She became a prominent poet, recognised as one of Australia’s first published Aboriginal women author. Oodgeroo went on to have a number of publications printed ranging from poetry, short stories to plays.
Along with others, Oodgeroo Noonuccal played a pivotal role in bringing about the 1967 referendum, for Aboriginal people to be included in the Australian census and given recognition as Australian citizens.
In her later years she appeared in Films, Including Bruce Beresford’s film “The Fringe Dwellers”
In 1996 QUT recognised this woman’s profound contribution to Australian history by naming the Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Education Unit, the Oodgeroo Unit.