Lewis O'Brien Lewis O'Brien i(A105554 works by) (a.k.a. Kauwanu Lewis Warritya O'Brien)
Born: Established: 1930 Point Pearce, Central Yorke Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia, ;
Gender: Male
Heritage: Aboriginal ; Aboriginal Kaurna
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BiographyHistory

Lewis O'Brien was born at the Point Pearce mission. He became a ward of the state at the age of thirteen and lived with several foster families. He trained as a fitter and turner with the South Australian Railways and later joined the merchant navy.

O'Brien has spent much of his life helping the Aboriginal community in South Australia. He was involved in the Aboriginal Council of South Australia in the 1970s. He also held the postion of Liasion Officer with the Education Department. 'Reviving the Dreaming' was a project O'Brien started to preserve and develop Aboriginal culture.

Since 1990, Uncle O'Brien, a Kaurna elder, has taken on the role of doing 'Welcome to Country'. He has also been involved with the Aboriginal Advancement League, Education Department's Curriculum Committee, Kaurna Heritage Committee and was chair of the State Council of Aboriginal Elders.

Most Referenced Works

Notes

  • O'Brien has been Aboriginal Elder of the Year (1997), Winner of the South Australian Local Hero award (2003) and an Honorary Fellow of the University of South Australia.

Personal Awards

2014 Order of Australia Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) For distinguished service to the indigenous community of South Australia as an elder and educator, and to the promotion and protection of indigenous culture and heritage.
Last amended 15 May 2019 11:30:19
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