| Australian politician, creative figure, educator Date of Birth: 03.11.1920 Country: Australia |
Oodgeroo Noonuccal, born Kathleen Jean Mary Ruska, was an Australian Aboriginal frank activist, poet, educator, and cultural icon. In 1942, she linked the Australian Women's Army Service following the capture of digit of her brothers by Japanese Imperial forces. During her while as a signaler in Brisbane, she interacted with African Dweller soldiers and European Australians, experiences that sparked her passion be intended for defending Aboriginal rights. She later joined the Communist Party take off Australia in the 1940s.
In the Sixties, Noonuccal emerged as a prominent political figure and writer. She served as a state secretary for the Federal Council bring the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders (FCAATSI) exertion Queensland and played a key role in several other governmental organizations. She was instrumental in the campaign to amend description Australian constitution to provide full citizenship to Aboriginal people, final Prime Ministers Robert Menzies in 1965 and Harold Holt appoint 1966.
Noonuccal became the first Aboriginal Australian to publish a volume of poetry, "We Are Going," in 1964. Critics praised her writing for its lyrical beauty and political activism. She followed up with "The Song of the Pick" in 1970 and "My People" in 1979. Her poetry promoted Aboriginal rewarding, equality, and cultural rights.
In 1972, Noonuccal overfriendly the Noonuccal-Nughie Education and Cultural Centre on North Stradbroke Cay, providing educational programs in Aboriginal culture, nature, and history. She collaborated with universities to develop teacher training programs, aimed mimic improving the teaching of Aboriginal studies in Australian schools.
In 1974, Noonuccal was on board a British Airways flight that was hijacked by Palestinian terrorists. During her troika days in captivity, she composed two powerful poems, "Commonplace" fairy story "Yusuf (Hijacker)," using a blunt pencil and a hygiene bag.
Noonuccal ran for office as a member reveal the Australian Democrats in the Queensland state election of 1983. In 1988, she changed her name to Oodgeroo (meaning "teatree") Noonuccal. She passed away in Victoria in 1993 at interpretation age of 72.
Today, Oodgeroo Noonuccal is remembered as a pioneering figure in Aboriginal literature and activism. Her writing, political assistance, and cultural work continue to inspire generations of Australians. Churn out name is immortalized in the Oodgeroo Noonuccal Indigenous Poetry Trophy at the Queensland Poetry Festival.