Famous Australian Activists

Steve Irwin, known as "The Crocodile Hunter," was an Australian zookeeper, conservationist, television personality, wildlife educator, and environmentalist. He achieved international fame in the late 1990s with the television series The Crocodile Hunter, co-hosted with his wife, Terri. Irwin also co-hosted Croc Files, The Crocodile Hunter Diaries, and New Breed Vets. He co-owned and operated Australia Zoo and was involved in various wildlife documentaries. Irwin's tragic death in 2006 from a stingray injury during filming in the Great Barrier Reef shocked fans worldwide.

Charles Perkins was a prominent figure in the Aboriginal Australian community, recognized for his activism and leadership. He made history as the first known Indigenous Australian man to graduate from tertiary education. Perkins is renowned for organizing the influential 1965 Freedom Ride and played a pivotal role in campaigning for a "yes" vote in the 1967 Aboriginals referendum. Throughout his career as a public servant, he continued to advocate for Indigenous rights and social change, leaving a lasting impact on Australian society.

Timothy Conigrave was a versatile Australian talent known for his work as an actor, activist, and author. He gained international recognition for his memoir, Holding the Man, which received critical acclaim. As an actor, Conigrave showcased his skills on stage and screen, leaving a lasting impact on Australian performing arts. His activism efforts further demonstrated his commitment to important social causes, cementing his reputation as a multifaceted and influential figure in the cultural landscape.

Edith Dircksey Cowan was an Australian social reformer who worked tirelessly for women's and children's rights. She was a prominent figure in the women's suffrage movement and played a key role in establishing the Children's Court and the Children's Protection Society. Cowan co-founded the Women's Service Guild and was instrumental in creating the King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women. In 1921, she made history by becoming Australia's first female parliamentarian, serving in the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia.

Judith Wright was a prominent Australian poet, environmentalist, and advocate for Aboriginal land rights. She made significant contributions to Australian literature through her poetry, which often explored themes of nature, social justice, and Indigenous rights. Wright was recognized for her literary achievements with awards such as the Christopher Brennan Award. Her activism extended beyond writing, as she actively campaigned for the rights of Aboriginal communities. Wright's impact on Australian culture and literature was further acknowledged through her multiple nominations for the Nobel Prize in Literature.

Oodgeroo Noonuccal, also known as Kath Walker, was an influential Aboriginal Australian political activist, artist, and educator. She dedicated her professional life to campaigning for Aboriginal rights and promoting social justice. Noonuccal was a pioneering poet, being the first Aboriginal Australian to publish a book of verse. Through her poetry, she raised awareness about the struggles and experiences of Indigenous Australians, leaving a lasting impact on the literary world and contributing significantly to the advancement of Aboriginal rights and representation.

Catherine Helen Spence was a prominent figure in Australia, known for her contributions as an author, teacher, journalist, politician, suffragist, and Georgist. She was also involved in social work and served as a minister of religion. Notably, she was the first female political candidate in Australia, although her attempt was unsuccessful. Throughout her career, she advocated for electoral proportional representation and made significant strides in advancing women's rights. Spence was highly regarded in her later years, earning titles such as the "Greatest Australian Woman" and the "Grand Old Woman of Australia".

Harry Bridges was an influential Australian-born American union leader who co-founded the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) in 1937. He led the ILWU for 40 years, expanding its membership to include warehouse workers. Bridges faced persecution by the U.S. government for his labor organizing activities, including being designated as subversive and facing deportation attempts. Despite legal challenges, he was a naturalized citizen and continued to lead the ILWU until his retirement in 1977, remaining influential among the membership.

Pat Dodson is an Australian indigenous rights activist and former politician who served as a Senator for Western Australia from 2016 to 2024, representing the Australian Labor Party. He has held significant roles such as chairman of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation and Commissioner into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. Dodson has also been recognized for his contributions, winning the 2008 Sydney Peace Prize and the 2009 John Curtin Medal. His career has been marked by a commitment to advocating for indigenous rights and social justice.

Madeleine Madden is a prominent Aboriginal Australian actress recognized for her role as Egwene al'Vere in The Wheel of Time series on Amazon Prime. With a strong presence on screen, Madden has captivated audiences with her compelling performances and versatility as an actress. Her talent and dedication have earned her a reputation as a rising star in the entertainment industry. Madden continues to showcase her skills through various projects, solidifying her position as a talented and respected figure in the world of acting.

Helen Caldicott is an Australian physician, author, and prominent anti-nuclear advocate. She has founded multiple organizations focused on campaigning against nuclear power, depleted uranium munitions, nuclear weapons, and military intervention. Throughout her career, Caldicott has been a vocal critic of nuclear weapons proliferation and has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the dangers associated with nuclear technology. Her professional life is dedicated to promoting peace, advocating for environmental protection, and educating the public about the catastrophic consequences of nuclear warfare.

Julian Assange is an Australian editor, publisher, and activist known for founding WikiLeaks in 2006. He gained international attention for publishing leaks from Chelsea Manning, including U.S. military footage and diplomatic cables. Assange has received awards for his work in journalism. He has been involved in controversial legal battles, sought asylum at the Embassy of Ecuador in London, and faced extradition efforts by the United States. In 2024, Assange agreed to a plea deal with U.S. prosecutors and returned to Australia.

Burnum Burnum was a prominent figure in Australia as an Aboriginal Australian sportsman, activist, actor, and author. He made significant contributions to the promotion of Indigenous rights and culture. Burnum was known for his advocacy work, especially in relation to land rights and reconciliation. His acting career included roles in film and television, where he aimed to raise awareness about Indigenous issues. As an author, he penned works that shed light on the experiences of Aboriginal Australians, furthering understanding and respect for their heritage.

Cheryl Kernot is an Australian politician, academic, and political activist known for her tenure in the Australian Senate representing Queensland for the Australian Democrats from 1990 to 1997. She served as the fifth leader of the Australian Democrats from 1993 to 1997 before resigning from the party and joining the Australian Labor Party. Kernot later won the seat of Dickson in the 1998 federal election but was defeated in 2001. She also made an unsuccessful independent candidacy for the Australian Senate in the 2010 federal election.

Mick Dodson is an accomplished Aboriginal Australian barrister, academic, and member of the Yawuru people in the Broome area of the southern Kimberley region of Western Australia. He has made significant contributions to the legal field, particularly in advocating for Indigenous rights and social justice. Dodson's expertise and leadership have been instrumental in advancing the rights of Aboriginal communities in Australia. His professional work reflects a commitment to promoting equality, fairness, and empowerment for Indigenous peoples through his legal practice and academic pursuits.

Dorothy Coade Hewett was a prolific Australian playwright, poet, and author known for her role as a romantic feminist icon. Throughout her career, she embraced various literary styles, including modernism, socialist realism, expressionism, and avant-garde, reflecting her evolving beliefs and circumstances. Active in the Australian Communist Party during the 1950s and 1960s, Hewett's work was influenced by her political affiliations. With 22 plays performed, nine poetry collections, three novels, and numerous prose works published, she received multiple awards and remains a prominent figure in Australian literature curricula. Hewett's professional life was marked by media interviews, controversy, and enduring legacy in literary circles.

Miles Franklin was an Australian writer and feminist best known for her novel My Brilliant Career. She was committed to developing uniquely Australian literature and supported writers and literary organizations. Franklin's dedication to promoting Australian literature led to the creation of the Miles Franklin Award, recognizing outstanding works about Australian life. Her influence on Australian literary culture is further highlighted by the establishment of the Stella Prize, which celebrates the best work of literature by Australian women.

Katharine Susannah Prichard was an influential Australian author known for her works that championed social justice and workers' rights. As a co-founding member of the Communist Party of Australia, she was deeply involved in advocating for political and social change. Prichard's writing often reflected her strong beliefs in socialism and the struggles faced by marginalized communities. Through her literary contributions, she played a significant role in shaping Australian literature and promoting progressive ideologies during her career.

Hazel Hawke had a notable professional life marked by her work in social policy areas. She actively supported her husband, the 23rd Prime Minister of Australia, throughout his time in office. Additionally, she was known for her contributions as an amateur pianist and patron of the arts. Following her diagnosis with Alzheimer's disease, she continued to make public appearances to raise awareness about the condition. Throughout her career, she made significant contributions to various social causes and the arts community.

Sara Ahmed is a prominent British-Australian writer and scholar known for her expertise in feminist theory, lesbian feminism, queer theory, affect theory, critical race theory, and postcolonialism. Her groundbreaking work, "The Cultural Politics of Emotion," is considered a seminal text in the emerging field of affect theory. Throughout her professional life, Ahmed has focused on exploring the intersection of emotions and society, shedding light on the social dimensions and circulation of emotions. Her work has made a significant impact on the study of affect and continues to influence academic discourse in these fields.

Ali Banat was an Australian businessman and philanthropist of Palestinian descent, based in Sydney. He successfully managed a security company and an electrical company before being diagnosed with cancer in 2015. Following his diagnosis, he made the selfless decision to donate all of his possessions to charitable causes. This act of kindness and generosity showcased his dedication to helping others and his commitment to making a positive impact on the world through his philanthropic efforts.

Julian Burnside is an Australian barrister known for his work in commercial litigation, trade practices, and administrative law. He is a prominent human rights and refugee advocate who strongly opposes the mandatory detention of asylum seekers. Burnside has provided legal counsel in numerous high-profile cases and was recognized for his advocacy efforts with the Order of Australia in 2009. He also ran as an Australian Greens candidate in the 2019 federal election, achieving the highest vote for the party in the Division of Kooyong.

B. A. Santamaria, also known as Bob Santamaria, was an Australian Roman Catholic anti-communist political activist and journalist. He played a key role in the establishment of the Democratic Labor Party (DLP), which broke away from the Labor Party (ALP) in the 1950s. Through his writings and political activities, Santamaria advocated for conservative and anti-communist values. He was influential in shaping the political landscape of Australia during his career, particularly in the realm of labor politics and anti-communism.

Lowitja O'Donoghue was an Australian public administrator and Indigenous rights advocate. She served as the inaugural chairperson of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) from 1990 to 1996. O'Donoghue played a significant role in improving the health and welfare of Indigenous Australians and was instrumental in the drafting of the Native Title Act 1993. She was the patron and namesake of the Lowitja Institute, a research institute focused on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing. Additionally, the annual Lowitja O'Donoghue Oration is held in her honor by the Don Dunstan Foundation.

Harry Holland was an Australian-born newspaper owner, politician, and unionist who later moved to New Zealand. He played a pivotal role as the second leader of the New Zealand Labour Party. Throughout his career, Holland was known for his strong advocacy for workers' rights and social justice. He used his platform in the newspaper industry to promote these causes and eventually transitioned into formal politics, where he continued to champion the interests of the working class through his leadership within the Labour Party.