Burnum Burnum

Burnum Burnum
Born10 January 1936
Wallaga Lake, New South Wales, Australia
Died17 August 1997(1997-08-17) (aged 61)
Woronora, New South Wales, Australia
Other namesHarry Penrith (rejected name from christening)
Occupation(s)Activist, actor, author

Burnum Burnum (10 January 1936 – 17 August 1997)[1][2] was an Aboriginal Australian sportsman, activist, actor, and author. He was a Woiworrung and Yorta Yorta man, born at Wallaga Lake in southern New South Wales. He was originally christened Harry Penrith[3] but in 1976, he changed his name to Burnum Burnum ("Great Warrior") after his grandfather both to honour him and acknowledge his Aboriginal identity.

  1. ^ "Encyclopaedia Britannica - Burnum Burnum". britannica.com. Retrieved 14 November 2020.
  2. ^ Clyde H. Farnsworth (20 August 1997). "Burnum Burnum, 61, Fighter For Australia's Aborigines". The New York Times. p. D 20. Retrieved 15 November 2020.
  3. ^ "Plan for Aboriginal mines". The Canberra Times. Vol. 55, no. 16, 716. Australian Capital Territory, Australia. 3 July 1981. p. 3. Retrieved 11 August 2016 – via National Library of Australia.