Some Indigenous Australians are remembered in history for their leadership during the British invasion and colonisation, some for their resistance to that colonisation, and others for assisting the Europeans in exploring the country. Some became infamous for their deeds, and others noted as the last of their communities. During the 20th century, some Indigenous Australians came to prominence to make significant contributions to Aboriginal human rights, land rights, to the armed services and to parliamentary representation.
Boorong (c.1777–c.1813) – Burramattagal woman who was the first Indigenous female to establish communication with British colonists. Third wife of Bennelong
Bungaree (c.1775–1830) – pioneering Dharug sailor and explorer who travelled with Matthew Flinders and Phillip Parker King.
Burigon (died 1820) – prominent Awabakal man whose murder resulted in the first legal case of a European being executed for the killing of an Aboriginal person.
Tarenorerer (c.1800–1831) – a female rebel leader of the Indigenous Australians in Tasmania. She led a guerrilla band against the British colonists during the Black War.
Tunnerminnerwait (c.1812–1842) – Tasmanian Aboriginal Australian who acted as a guide for George Augustus Robinson and was executed for resisting British colonisation.
Turandurey (c.1806–?) – Wiradjuri woman who became a guide for the explorer Thomas Mitchell
Wild Toby (c.1840–1883) – Aboriginal bushranger from central Queensland
Willemering (c.1755–c.1800) – Dharug man who speared Governor Arthur Phillip
Tommy Windich (c.1840–1876) – Western Australian Indigenous explorer
Windradyne (c.1800–1829) – Wiradjuri man, also known as "Saturday", a notable figure of the Aboriginal resistance during the Bathurst War
Bill Dunn – involved in the Pilbara Strike, and the first Aboriginal man to be granted a pastoral lease in Western Australia.
Jimmy Governor (c. 1875–1901) – a famous outlaw with his brother Joe Governor
Douglas Grant (1885–1951) – massacre survivor and soldier for the AIF during WWI
Vincent Lingiari (1908 or 1919–1988) – prominent Australian Aboriginal rights activist
Eddie Mabo (1936–1992) – iconic Indigenous Australian man from the Torres Strait Islands known for successfully championing Indigenous land rights into Australian law.
^"BRAVE ABORIGINAL GIRL". Eastern Districts Chronicle. Vol. XXXVII, no. 9. Western Australia. 27 February 1914. p. 7. Retrieved 8 November 2017 – via National Library of Australia.
^"THE ROPER RIVER". The Evening Star. Vol. 15, no. 4356. Western Australia. 8 May 1912. p. 3. Retrieved 8 November 2017 – via National Library of Australia.