List of Indigenous Australian firsts

• 1606
  • First known meeting between Indigenous Australians and Europeans (Mapoon, Queensland).^[3]

• 1788
  • First Indigenous Australian to live amongst Europeans: Arabanoo.^[4]

• 1793
  • First Indigenous Australian song performed in Europe: Bennelong, Yemmerrawanne.^[5][6]
• 1796
  • First Indigenous Australian to appear in print: Bennelong (see also 1949).^[7]

• 1802
  • First Indigenous Australian to circumnavigate Australia: Bungaree.^[8]

• 1815
  • First Indigenous Australian to be granted land by the colonial authorities: Bungaree.^[9]

• 1835
  • First Indigenous Australian to be recorded playing western sport: Shiney (cricket in Hobart).^[10]
• 1836
  • First publication solely written and published by Indigenous Australians: Flinders Island Chronicle (twenty-nine editions published).^[11]

• 1856
  • Indigenous Australian males first given the right to vote in elections (South Australia).^[12]

• 1860
  • First Indigenous people to request a land grant: Collin Hood and Nora Hood.^[13]
• 1864
  • First time portions of the Bible published in an Indigenous Australian language (Ngarrindjeri).^[14]
• 1868
  • First Australian cricket team to tour overseas and the first sporting team to represent Australia abroad, is composed of Australian Aboriginal people.^[10]

• 1870
  • First Indigenous Australian to play first-class cricket: Twopenny.^[15]
• 1871
  • First Indigenous Australian to become a deacon: James Unaipon.^[16]

• 1883
  • First Indigenous Australian to win the Stawell Gift: Bobby Kinnear.^[17]
• 1889
  • First Indigenous Australian to play in a major Australian rules football league, South Australian Football Association (now SANFL): Harry Hewitt.^[18]

• 1893
  • First Indigenous Australian to play representative rugby union: Frank Ivory (Queensland).^[19]
• 1895
  • Indigenous Australian women first gain the right to vote in elections (South Australia).^[20]
• 1897
  • First translation of the New Testament into an Indigenous Australian language (Dieri).^[21]
• 1899
  • First Indigenous Australian to be recorded: Fanny Cochrane Smith.^[22]

Summarize Timeline Top Qs Fact Check

• 1900
  • First Indigenous Australian to regularly play in a major Australian rules football league, West Australian Football Association (now WAFL): Jimmy Melbourne.^[23]
• 1904
  • First Indigenous Australian to play in the Victorian Football League (VFL): Joe Johnson.^[24]
• 1909
  • First Indigenous Australian to play first-grade level rugby league: George Green.^[25]

• 1910

First time First Nations children were forcibly removed from their families as a result of government policies. Now known as the "Stolen Generation".

• 1912
  • First Indigenous Australian to win a national boxing title: Jerry Jerome (middleweight).^[26]
  • First Indigenous Australian to be awarded a medal for gallantry: Neighbour (Albert Medal).^[27]
• 1916
  • First Indigenous Australian to be awarded the Military Medal in World War I : Maitland Madge.^[28]
• 1919
  • First Torres Strait Islanders to be ordained deacons in the Anglican Church of Australia (then called the Church of England in Australia): Joseph Lui and Poey Passi.^[29]

• 1925
  • First Indigenous Australian to tour abroad as part of open sporting team: Glen Crouch (Queensland rugby league team to New Zealand).^[30]
  • First Aboriginal Australian to be ordained deacon in the Anglican Church of Australia (then called the Church of England in Australia): James Noble (clergyman).^[29]
  • First Torres Strait Islanders to be ordained priests in the Anglican Church of Australia (then called the Church of England in Australia): Joseph Lui and Poey Passi.^[29]
• 1927
  • First Indigenous Australian to have a book published: David Unaipon (Aboriginal Legends).^[31]
• 1929
  • First Indigenous Australian to win the World Professional Sprint Championship: Lynch Cooper.^[32]

• 1932
  • First literary writing in Indigenous Australian vernacular: Sam Dintibana, in Dieri.^[33]
• 1935
  • First Indigenous Australian to be selected in the Victorian interstate Australian rules team: Doug Nicholls.^[34]
• 1938
  • First major national Indigenous day of protest: Australia Day protest by the Aborigines Progressive Association.^[35]
• 1939
  • First mass strike of Indigenous Australians: Cummeragunja walk-off.^[36]

• 1944
  • First Indigenous Australian to be commissioned as an officer in the Australian armed forces: Reg Saunders.^[37]
  • First Indigenous military aviator: Len Waters.^[38]
• 1949
  • First federal electorate named after an Indigenous Australian: Division of Bennelong, named in honour of Bennelong.^[39]

• 1950
  • The first named Indigenous Australian to appear on an Australian stamp: Gwoya Jungarai.
• 1954
  • First Indigenous nurse in South Australia: Lois (Lowitja) O’Donoghue
  • First Indigenous Railway Station Master^[40]
• 1957
  • First Indigenous Australian to become an Australian citizen: Albert Namatjira.^[41]
  • First Indigenous Australian to enrol in university: Margaret Williams-Weir.^[42]
• 1958
  • First Indigenous Australian woman to be selected for a national sporting side: Faith Coulthard (cricket).^[43]
  • First song written and recorded by Indigenous Australians: "Give the Coloured Boy a Chance" (written by Jimmy Little, Snr and recorded by Jimmy Little).^[44]
• 1959
  • First Indigenous Australian entertainer to appear on television: Jimmy Little.^[45]
  • First Indigenous Australian to gain a university qualification: Margaret Williams-Weir.^[42]

• 1960
  • First Indigenous Australian to compete at the Paralympics: Kevin Coombes.^[46]
  • First Indigenous Australian to represent Australia in rugby league: Lionel Morgan.^[47]
• 1961
  • First Indigenous Australian to win the Bay Sheffield: Ken Hampton.^[48]
  • First Indigenous Australians to represent Australia in basketball: Bennie Lew Fatt and John Bonson.^[49]
• 1962
  • First Indigenous Australian to win a Gold Medal at the Commonwealth Games: Jeff Dynevor (Bantamweight boxing).^[50]
  • First Indigenous Australian to release an album: Georgia Lee (Georgia Lee Sings the Blues Down Under).^[51]
  • First Indigenous Australian to represent Australia in rugby union: Lloyd McDermott.^[52]
  • Indigenous Australians first given right to enrol to vote in Australian federal elections.^[20]
  • Indigenous Australians first given right to enrol to vote in Northern Territory elections.^[20]
• 1963
  • First time Indigenous Australians legally allowed to drink alcohol in New South Wales (30 March).^[53]
  • First Indigenous Australian to have a number one hit on the Australian music charts: Jimmy Little ("Royal Telephone").
  • First documentary recognition of Indigenous Australians in Australian law: Yirrkala bark petitions.^[54]
• 1964
  • First Indigenous Australian to publish a book of verse: Oodgeroo Noonuccal (We Are Going).^[55]
  • First Indigenous Australians to compete in an Olympic Games: Michael Ah Matt, Adrian Blair and Frank Roberts.^[56]
• 1965
  • First Indigenous Australian police officer: Colin Dillon.^[57]
  • Indigenous Australians first given right to vote in Queensland elections.^[20]
  • First all-Indigenous Australian contemporary music concert held in Sydney.^[45]
  • First novel by an Indigenous Australian author to be published in Australia: Wild Cat Falling by Mudrooroo^[58]
• 1966
  • First Indigenous Australian university degree graduates: Charles Perkins (see also 1984) and Margaret Valadian.^[59]
  • First Indigenous Australian to be ordained as a Minister of the Methodist Church: Lazarus Lamilami.^[60][61]
• 1967
  • Indigenous Australians allowed to be counted in the Australian census^[20] (the first census to include Indigenous Australians was 1971).
• 1968
  • First Indigenous Australian to become world champion (bantamweight boxing): Lionel Rose.^[62]
  • First Indigenous Australian to be named Australian of the Year: Lionel Rose^[63]
  • First Indigenous Australian to compete internationally in wrestling: John Kinsella.^[64]
  • First Indigenous Australian to become a state champion cyclist: Brian Mansell (Tasmania).^[65]
• 1969
  • First Indigenous Australian to play List A cricket: Ian King.
  • First legal challenge for Aboriginal title to land: Milirrpum v Nabalco.^[66]

• 1970
  • First Indigenous Australian to play soccer for Australia: Harry Williams.^[67]
  • First Aboriginal Australian to be ordained priest in the Anglican Church of Australia (then called the Church of England in Australia): Patrick Brisbane.^[29]
• 1971
  • First Indigenous Australian to sit in the Parliament of Australia: Neville Bonner.^[68]
  • First play written by an Indigenous Australian performed in mainstream theatre: The Cherry Pickers by Kevin Gilbert.^[69]
  • First Indigenous Australian to win a Grand Slam tennis event (French Open): Evonne Goolagong.
  • First Australian rules footballer to be honoured with an MBE: Graham Farmer.^[70][71]
  • Australian Aboriginal flag first flown in public (designed by Harold Thomas, the flag was flown in Victoria Square, Adelaide on National Aborigines Day, 12 July).^[72]
• 1972
  • First Indigenous Australian theatre company formed: "Nindethana" (founded by Jack Charles and Bob Maza).^[73]
  • First Indigenous Australian-produced community radio programs went to air (5UV in Adelaide and at the Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Media Association (TAIMA) at Mount Stuart, south of Townsville, on 4KIG FM2).^[74]
  • First Indigenous Australian representative Australian rules team to play overseas (Papua New Guinea).^[75]
  • First film made by an Indigenous Australian (Blackfire, by Bruce McGuinness and Martin Bartfeld).^[76]
  • First Indigenous Australian to receive a knighthood (Douglas Nicholls).^[77]
• 1973
  • First Indigenous Australian jockey to win the Melbourne Cup: Frank Reys.^[78]
  • First Indigenous Australian to captain Australia: Arthur Beetson (Rugby League).^[79]
  • First television show with an all-Aboriginal cast (Basically Black).^[80]
• 1974
  • First Indigenous Australian elected to a state or territory parliament: Hyacinth Tungutalum.^[20]
• 1975
  • First Indigenous Australian to be employed in Australia's tertiary education sector as a lecturer: Maryann Bin-Salik.^[81]
• 1976
  • First Indigenous Australian to hold vice-regal office (Governor of South Australia): Sir Douglas Nicholls.^[82]
  • First Indigenous Australian to be appointed a Justice of the Peace in South Australia: Ken Hampton (see also 1961).^[83]
  • First Indigenous Australian Barrister: Patricia O’Shane
  • First Indigenous Australian woman to be awarded an Order of Australia: Lois (Lowitja) O’Donoghue
• 1977
  • First Indigenous Australian to hold a shadow portfolio in a federal, state or territory parliament: Neville Perkins (Northern Territory).^[20]
  • First Indigenous Australian to referee a world title boxing match: Trevor Christian.^[84]
  • First city council to fly the Aboriginal flag (Newcastle City Council).^[85]
• 1979
  • First Indigenous Australian to represent Australia in volleyball: Mark Tutton.^[86]
  • First woman to be appointed to the New South Wales Metropolitan Water, Sewerage and Drainage Board. Patricia O'Shane
  • First Indigenous Principal in Western Australia after being promoted to Principal Class II of Wiluna Special Aboriginal School: Len Hayward

• 1980
  • First Indigenous Australian to receive a PhD: Bill Jonas^[87] (from the University of Papua New Guinea)^[88]
  • First Indigenous Australian to officially address the United Nations: Jim Hagan.^[89]
• 1981
  • First boxer to become Australian titleholder in four weight divisions: Tony Mundine.^[90]
  • First feature film starring all-Indigenous Australian cast: Wrong Side of the Road.^[91]
  • First Aboriginal person and first woman to become a permanent head of ministry in Australia: Patricia O'Shane
• 1982
  • First Indigenous Australian woman to gain a private pilot's licence: Virginia Wykes.^[92]
  • First Indigenous Australian man to play at Wimbledon: Ian Goolagong (mixed doubles with sister Evonne).^[93]
  • First Indigenous Australian to win the Norm Smith Medal: Maurice Rioli.^[94]
  • First Indigenous Australian to head a state government department (New South Wales Department of Aboriginal Affairs): Pat O'Shane.^[95]
• 1983
  • First Indigenous Australian to become a medical doctor: Dr Helen Milroy.^[96]
• 1984
  • First Indigenous Australian to become permanent head of a federal government department (Department of Aboriginal Affairs): Charles Perkins.^[97] (see also 1966)
• 1985
  • First Indigenous Australian television station commences: Channel 4 Yuendumu.^[98]
  • First Indigenous Australian bishop of the Anglican Church of Australia: Arthur Malcolm.
• 1986
  • First Indigenous Australian Minister of the Crown: Ernie Bridge (Western Australia).^[99]
  • First Indigenous Australian to represent Australia in netball: Marcia Ella-Duncan.^[100]
• 1987
  • First Indigenous Australian psychologist: Pat Dudgeon.^[101]
• 1989
  • First Indigenous Australian to win the Magarey Medal: Gilbert McAdam.^[102]
  • First Indigenous Australian to receive a PhD from an Australian university: Eve Fesl (Monash)^[103][104]

• 1990
  • First Indigenous Australian to win an international track medal (bronze, 4 × 400 m relay, 1990 Commonwealth Games): Cathy Freeman (see also 2000).^[105]
  • First Indigenous Australian rock opera: Bran Nue Dae.^[106]
• 1991
  • First Indigenous Australian woman to represent Australia in hockey: Lorelle Morrissey.^[107]
• 1992
  • First Indigenous Australian to win an Olympic medal (bronze, 100m breaststroke): Samantha Riley.^[108]
  • The Torres Strait Islander flag is flown for the first time.^[109]
  • First Indigenous Australian to direct a feature film: Brian Syron (Jindalee Lady).^[110]
• 1993
  • First Indigenous Australian to win a Brownlow Medal: Gavin Wanganeen.^[111]
• 1994
  • First Indigenous Australian to be appointed a university Chancellor: Pat O'Shane (University of New England).^[112]
• 1995
  • First Indigenous Australian to graduate as a veterinary surgeon: Joe Schmidt.^[113]
• 1996
  • First Indigenous Australian to win a Gold Medal at the Olympic Games: Nova Peris (hockey).^[114]
  • First Indigenous Australian to play Test cricket: Jason Gillespie.
  • First Indigenous Australian male to represent Australia in hockey: Baeden Choppy.^[94]
  • First Indigenous Australian to be appointed a judge: Bob Bellear.^[115]
  • First Indigenous Australian woman to complete a Sydney to Hobart race. Kathy Collingridge, on the yacht One Time Sidewinder.^[116]
• 1997
  • First Indigenous performing arts centre: Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts (ACPA)
  • First Indigenous Australian elected to the International Rugby Hall of Fame: Mark Ella.^[117]
• 1999
  • First Indigenous Australian to become Miss Australia: Kathryn Hay.^[118]
• 2000
  • First Indigenous Australian to win an individual Olympic gold medal (400m, 2000 Summer Olympics): Cathy Freeman (see also 1990 and 1992).^[105]