Jack McPhee was born around 1905 in the Pilbara of north Western Australia. His mother's name was Mary and her traditional name was Marduwanyjawurru. Jack McPhee belonged to the Garimarra skin group and his family name was Yirrabinyah. Throughout his life he gained a great deal of respect and friendship from many while working as a stockman before the introduction of motor vehicles, gold and tin prospecting, mechanical work, as a blacksmith and truck driver.
During his life, Jack McPhee witnessed the introduction of the Exemption Certificate and Citizenship, the end of the First and Second World War, improvements in the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians, and a number of other milestone events in Australian history. Jack McPhee worked hard to raise his family and had six children who attended school in Marble Bar. Bee Hill River Man is a biography of Jack McPhee by Patricia Konigsberg. Wananmurraganya is another biographical account of his life that was recorded by his granddaughter Sally Morgan .
