Kath Walker (Oodgeroo Noonuccal)
1920-11-03 - 1993-08-16
Kath Walker was a leading Aboriginal poet, writer, political activist, artist and educator. During World War Two Kath volunteered to enlist in the Australian Women's Army Service. She had a lifelong commitment to advancing civil rights and improving the lives of her people. She was a leading member of Indigenous organisations that demanded Constitutional change to end state control over Aboriginal people. Walker had a successful career as an author, releasing a series of books for young readers recreating the stories she learned as a young girl. In 1987 Kath changed her name to Oodgeroo of the Noonuccal tribe in protest at the Australian Bicentennial celebration. In the same year she returned her MBE to the Queensland Governor stating that Aboriginal Australia had very little to celebrate after 200 years of white settlement.