Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Oodgeroo of the Noonuccal)

Oodgeroo Noonuccal, formerly known as Kath Walker, was a prominent Aboriginal Australian poet, activist, and artist. Born in 1920 on Stradbroke Island, she was a member of the Noonuccal people. Noonuccal's work focused on the rights and culture of Indigenous Australians, exploring themes of identity, displacement, and nature. She is celebrated for her poetry, which combines traditional Aboriginal perspectives with contemporary issues. In 1970, she became the first Aboriginal Australian to publish a book of verse. Her legacy continues to inspire conversations about reconciliation, rights, and the significance of Indigenous voices in Australian literature and society.