List of Indigenous Australian firsts

• 1606
  • First known meeting between Indigenous Australians and Europeans (Mapoon, Queensland).^[3]

• 1788
  • First Indigenous Australian to live amongst Europeans: Arabanoo.^[4]

• 1793
  • First Indigenous Australian song performed in Europe: Bennelong, Yemmerrawanne.^[5][6]
• 1796
  • First Indigenous Australian to appear in print: Bennelong (see also 1949).^[7]

• 1802
  • First Indigenous Australian to circumnavigate Australia: Bungaree.^[8]

• 1815
  • First Indigenous Australian to be granted land by the colonial authorities: Bungaree.^[9]

• 1835
  • First Indigenous Australian to be recorded playing western sport: Shiney (cricket in Hobart).^[10]
• 1836
  • First publication solely written and published by Indigenous Australians: Flinders Island Chronicle (twenty-nine editions published).^[11]

• 1856
  • Indigenous Australian males first given the right to vote in elections (South Australia).^[12]

• 1864
  • First time portions of the Bible published in an Indigenous Australian language (Ngarrindjeri).^[13]
• 1868
  • First Australian cricket team to tour overseas and the first sporting team to represent Australia abroad, is composed of Australian Aboriginal people.^[10]

• 1870
  • First Indigenous Australian to play first-class cricket: Twopenny.^[14]
• 1871
  • First Indigenous Australian to become a deacon: James Unaipon.^[15]

• 1883
  • First Indigenous Australian to win the Stawell Gift: Bobby Kinnear.^[16]
• 1889
  • First Indigenous Australian to play in a major Australian rules football league, South Australian Football Association (now SANFL): Harry Hewitt.^[17]

• 1893
  • First Indigenous Australian to play representative rugby union: Frank Ivory (Queensland).^[18]
• 1895
  • Indigenous Australian women first gain the right to vote in elections (South Australia).^[19]
• 1897
  • First translation of the New Testament into an Indigenous Australian language (Dieri).^[20]
• 1899
  • First Indigenous Australian to be recorded: Fanny Cochrane Smith.^[21]

• 1900
  • First Indigenous Australian to regularly play in a major Australian rules football league, West Australian Football Association (now WAFL): Jimmy Melbourne.^[22]
• 1904
  • First Indigenous Australian to play in the Victorian Football League (VFL): Joe Johnson.^[23]
• 1909
  • First Indigenous Australian to play first-grade level rugby league: George Green.^[24]

• 1910

First time First Nations children were forcibly removed from their families as a result of government policies. Now known as the "Stolen Generation".

• 1912
  • First Indigenous Australian to win a national boxing title: Jerry Jerome (middleweight).^[25]
  • First Indigenous Australian to be awarded a medal for gallantry: Neighbour (Albert Medal).^[26]
• 1916
  • First Indigenous Australian to be awarded the Military Medal in World War I : Maitland Madge.^[27]
• 1919
  • First Torres Strait Islanders to be ordained deacons in the Anglican Church of Australia (then called the Church of England in Australia): Joseph Lui and Poey Passi.^[28]

• 1925
  • First Indigenous Australian to tour abroad as part of open sporting team: Glen Crouch (Queensland rugby league team to New Zealand).^[29]
  • First Aboriginal Australian to be ordained deacon in the Anglican Church of Australia (then called the Church of England in Australia): James Noble (clergyman).^[28]
  • First Torres Strait Islanders to be ordained priests in the Anglican Church of Australia (then called the Church of England in Australia): Joseph Lui and Poey Passi.^[28]
• 1927
  • First Indigenous Australian to have a book published: David Unaipon (Aboriginal Legends).^[30]
• 1929
  • First Indigenous Australian to win the World Professional Sprint Championship: Lynch Cooper.^[31]

• 1932
  • First literary writing in Indigenous Australian vernacular: Sam Dintibana, in Dieri.^[32]
• 1935
  • First Indigenous Australian to be selected in the Victorian interstate Australian rules team: Doug Nicholls.^[33]
• 1938
  • First major national Indigenous day of protest: Australia Day protest by the Aborigines Progressive Association.^[34]
• 1939
  • First mass strike of Indigenous Australians: Cummeragunja walk-off.^[35]

• 1944
  • First Indigenous Australian to be commissioned as an officer in the Australian armed forces: Reg Saunders.^[36]
  • First Indigenous military aviator: Len Waters.^[37]
• 1949
  • First federal electorate named after an Indigenous Australian: Division of Bennelong, named in honour of Bennelong.^[38]

• 1950
  • The first named Indigenous Australian to appear on an Australian stamp: Gwoya Jungarai.
• 1954
  • First Indigenous nurse in South Australia: Lois (Lowitja) O’Donoghue
  • First Indigenous Railway Station Master^[39]
• 1957
  • First Indigenous Australian to become an Australian citizen: Albert Namatjira.^[40]
  • First Indigenous Australian to enrol in university: Margaret Williams-Weir.^[41]
• 1958
  • First Indigenous Australian woman to be selected for a national sporting side: Faith Coulthard (cricket).^[42]
  • First song written and recorded by Indigenous Australians: "Give the Coloured Boy a Chance" (written by Jimmy Little, Snr and recorded by Jimmy Little).^[43]
• 1959
  • First Indigenous Australian entertainer to appear on television: Jimmy Little.^[44]
  • First Indigenous Australian to gain a university qualification: Margaret Williams-Weir.^[41]

• 1960
  • First Indigenous Australian to compete at the Paralympics: Kevin Coombes.^[45]
  • First Indigenous Australian to represent Australia in rugby league: Lionel Morgan.^[46]
• 1961
  • First Indigenous Australian to win the Bay Sheffield: Ken Hampton.^[47]
  • First Indigenous Australians to represent Australia in basketball: Bennie Lew Fatt and John Bonson.^[48]
• 1962
  • First Indigenous Australian to win a Gold Medal at the Commonwealth Games: Jeff Dynevor (Bantamweight boxing).^[49]
  • First Indigenous Australian to release an album: Georgia Lee (Georgia Lee Sings the Blues Down Under).^[50]
  • First Indigenous Australian to represent Australia in rugby union: Lloyd McDermott.^[51]
  • Indigenous Australians first given right to enrol to vote in Australian federal elections.^[19]
  • Indigenous Australians first given right to enrol to vote in Northern Territory elections.^[19]
• 1963
  • First time Indigenous Australians legally allowed to drink alcohol in New South Wales (30 March).^[52]
  • First Indigenous Australian to have a number one hit on the Australian music charts: Jimmy Little ("Royal Telephone").
  • First documentary recognition of Indigenous Australians in Australian law: Yirrkala bark petitions.^[53]
• 1964
  • First Indigenous Australian to publish a book of verse: Oodgeroo Noonuccal (We Are Going).^[54]
  • First Indigenous Australians to compete in an Olympic Games: Michael Ah Matt, Adrian Blair and Frank Roberts.^[55]
• 1965
  • First Indigenous Australian police officer: Colin Dillon.^[56]
  • Indigenous Australians first given right to vote in Queensland elections.^[19]
  • First all-Indigenous Australian contemporary music concert held in Sydney.^[44]
  • First novel by an Indigenous Australian author to be published in Australia: Wild Cat Falling by Mudrooroo^[57]
• 1966
  • First Indigenous Australian university degree graduates: Charles Perkins (see also 1984) and Margaret Valadian.^[58]
  • First Indigenous Australian to be ordained as a Minister of the Methodist Church: Lazarus Lamilami.^[59][60]
• 1967
  • Indigenous Australians allowed to be counted in the Australian census^[19] (the first census to include Indigenous Australians was 1971).
• 1968
  • First Indigenous Australian to become world champion (bantamweight boxing): Lionel Rose.^[61]
  • First Indigenous Australian to be named Australian of the Year: Lionel Rose^[62]
  • First Indigenous Australian to compete internationally in wrestling: John Kinsella.^[63]
  • First Indigenous Australian to become a state champion cyclist: Brian Mansell (Tasmania).^[64]
• 1969
  • First Indigenous Australian to play List A cricket: Ian King.
  • First legal challenge for Aboriginal title to land: Milirrpum v Nabalco.^[65]

• 1970
  • First Indigenous Australian to play soccer for Australia: Harry Williams.^[66]
  • First Aboriginal Australian to be ordained priest in the Anglican Church of Australia (then called the Church of England in Australia): Patrick Brisbane.^[28]
• 1971
  • First Indigenous Australian to sit in the Parliament of Australia: Neville Bonner.^[67]
  • First play written by an Indigenous Australian performed in mainstream theatre: The Cherry Pickers by Kevin Gilbert.^[68]
  • First Indigenous Australian to win a Grand Slam tennis event (French Open): Evonne Goolagong.
  • First Australian rules footballer to be honoured with an MBE: Graham Farmer.^[69][70]
  • Australian Aboriginal Flag first flown in public (designed by Harold Thomas, the flag was flown in Victoria Square, Adelaide on National Aborigines Day, 12 July).^[71]
• 1972
  • First Indigenous Australian theatre company formed: "Nindethana" (founded by Jack Charles and Bob Maza).^[72]
  • First Indigenous Australian-produced community radio programs went to air (5UV in Adelaide and at the Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Media Association (TAIMA) at Mount Stuart, south of Townsville, on 4KIG FM2).^[73]
  • First Indigenous Australian representative Australian rules team to play overseas (Papua New Guinea).^[74]
  • First film made by an Indigenous Australian (Blackfire, by Bruce McGuinness and Martin Bartfeld).^[75]
  • First Indigenous Australian to receive a knighthood (Douglas Nicholls).^[76]
• 1973
  • First Indigenous Australian jockey to win the Melbourne Cup: Frank Reys.^[77]
  • First Indigenous Australian to captain Australia: Arthur Beetson (Rugby League).^[78]
  • First television show with an all-Aboriginal cast (Basically Black).^[79]
• 1974
  • First Indigenous Australian elected to a state or territory parliament: Hyacinth Tungutalum.^[19]
• 1975
  • First Indigenous Australian to be employed in Australia's tertiary education sector as a lecturer: Maryann Bin-Salik.^[80]
• 1976
  • First Indigenous Australian to hold vice-regal office (Governor of South Australia): Sir Douglas Nicholls.^[81]
  • First Indigenous Australian to be appointed a Justice of the Peace in South Australia: Ken Hampton (see also 1961).^[82]
  • First Indigenous Australian Barrister: Patricia O’Shane
  • First Indigenous Australian woman to be awarded an Order of Australia: Lois (Lowitja) O’Donoghue
• 1977
  • First Indigenous Australian to hold a shadow portfolio in a federal, state or territory parliament: Neville Perkins (Northern Territory).^[19]
  • First Indigenous Australian to referee a world title boxing match: Trevor Christian.^[83]
  • First city council to fly the Aboriginal flag (Newcastle City Council).^[84]
• 1979
  • First Indigenous Australian to represent Australia in volleyball: Mark Tutton.^[85]
  • First woman to be appointed to the New South Wales Metropolitan Water, Sewerage and Drainage Board. Patricia O'Shane
  • First Indigenous Principal in Western Australia after being promoted to Principal Class II of Wiluna Special Aboriginal School: Len Hayward

• 1980
  • First Indigenous Australian to receive a PhD: Bill Jonas^[86] (from the University of Papua New Guinea)^[87]
  • First Indigenous Australian to officially address the United Nations: Jim Hagan.^[88]
• 1981
  • First boxer to become Australian titleholder in four weight divisions: Tony Mundine.^[89]
  • First feature film starring all-Indigenous Australian cast: Wrong Side of the Road.^[90]
  • First Aboriginal person and first woman to become a permanent head of ministry in Australia: Patricia O'Shane
• 1982
  • First Indigenous Australian woman to gain a private pilot's licence: Virginia Wykes.^[91]
  • First Indigenous Australian man to play at Wimbledon: Ian Goolagong (mixed doubles with sister Evonne).^[92]
  • First Indigenous Australian to win the Norm Smith Medal: Maurice Rioli.^[93]
  • First Indigenous Australian to head a state government department (New South Wales Department of Aboriginal Affairs): Pat O'Shane.^[94]
• 1983
  • First Indigenous Australian to become a medical doctor: Dr Helen Milroy.^[95]
• 1984
  • First Indigenous Australian to become permanent head of a federal government department (Department of Aboriginal Affairs): Charles Perkins.^[96] (see also 1966)
• 1985
  • First Indigenous Australian television station commences: Channel 4 Yuendumu.^[97]
  • First Indigenous Australian bishop of the Anglican Church of Australia: Arthur Malcolm.
• 1986
  • First Indigenous Australian Minister of the Crown: Ernie Bridge (Western Australia).^[98]
  • First Indigenous Australian to represent Australia in netball: Marcia Ella-Duncan.^[99]
• 1987
  • First Indigenous Australian psychologist: Pat Dudgeon.^[100]
• 1989
  • First Indigenous Australian to win the Magarey Medal: Gilbert McAdam.^[101]
  • First Indigenous Australian to receive a PhD from an Australian university: Eve Fesl (Monash)^[102][103]

• 1990
  • First Indigenous Australian to win an international track medal (bronze, 4 × 400 m relay, 1990 Commonwealth Games): Cathy Freeman (see also 1992 and 2000).^[104]
  • First Indigenous Australian rock opera: Bran Nue Dae.^[105]
• 1991
  • First Indigenous Australian woman to represent Australia in hockey: Lorelle Morrissey.^[106]
• 1992
  • First Indigenous Australian woman to be selected in the Olympic Games: Cathy Freeman (see also 1990 and 2000).^[107]
  • The Torres Strait Islander Flag is flown for the first time.^[108]
• 1993
  • First Indigenous Australian to win a Brownlow Medal: Gavin Wanganeen.^[109]
• 1994
  • First Indigenous Australian to be appointed a university Chancellor: Pat O'Shane (University of New England).^[110]
• 1995
  • First Indigenous Australian to graduate as a veterinary surgeon: Joe Schmidt.^[111]
• 1996
  • First Indigenous Australian to win a Gold Medal at the Olympic Games: Nova Peris (hockey).^[112]
  • First Indigenous Australian to play Test cricket: Jason Gillespie.
  • First Indigenous Australian male to represent Australia in hockey: Baeden Choppy.^[93]
  • First Indigenous Australian to be appointed a judge: Bob Bellear.^[113]
  • First Indigenous Australian woman to complete a Sydney to Hobart race. Kathy Collingridge. Yacht - One Time Sidewinder.
• 1997
  • First Indigenous performing arts centre: Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts (ACPA)
  • First Indigenous Australian elected to the International Rugby Hall of Fame: Mark Ella.^[114]
• 1999
  • First Indigenous Australian to become Miss Australia: Kathryn Hay.^[115]
• 2000
  • First Indigenous Australian to win an individual Olympic gold medal (400m, 2000 Summer Olympics): Cathy Freeman (see also 1990 and 1992).^[104]

• 2001
  • First Indigenous Australian woman elected to an Australian parliament: Carol Martin.^[116]
• 2003
  • First Indigenous Australian woman Minister of the Crown: Marion Scrymgour.^[104]
  • First Indigenous Nurse Practitioner Australia: Lesley Salem
  • First Indigenous medical practitioner to be awarded a Doctorate of Philosophy: Sandra Eades.
• 2006
  • First Indigenous Australian surgeon: Kelvin Kong.^[117]
• 2008
  • First Indigenous Australian to play in the National Basketball Association (NBA): Nathan Jawai.
• 2009
  • First Indigenous Australian woman to become an Anglican remote area priest: Yulki Nunggumajbarr.^[118]

• 2010
  • First Indigenous Australian woman elected to a United Nations body: Megan Davis (Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues).^[119]
  • First Indigenous Australians to set foot on Antarctica: Narelle Long and Malcolm Lynch.^[120]
  • First Indigenous Australian to play international Twenty20 cricket: Dan Christian (Australia vs West Indies).^[121]
  • First Indigenous Australian elected to the Australian House of Representatives: Ken Wyatt.^[122]
• 2011
  • First Indigenous Australian Rhodes Scholar: Rebecca Richards.^[123]
• 2012
  • First Indigenous Australian woman archdeacon in the Anglican Church: Karen Kime.^[124]
  • First Indigenous Australian to join golf's PGA Tour: Scott Gardiner.^[125]
  • First Indigenous Australian to study at the University of Cambridge: Lilly Brown.^[123]
  • First Indigenous Australian appointed to a federal court: Matthew Myers.^[126]
• 2013
  • First Indigenous Australian to become a head of government: Adam Giles (Northern Territory).^[127]
  • First Indigenous Australian appointed as head of an overseas mission: Damien Miller (Denmark).^[128]
  • First time Aboriginal flag flown over an overseas military base (Al Minhad Air Base, United Arab Emirates).^[129]
  • First Indigenous Australian woman elected to Australian parliament: Nova Peris.^[130]
• 2015
  • First Indigenous Australian woman elected to the Queensland Parliament: Leeanne Enoch.^[131]
  • First Indigenous Australian to be appointed a federal frontbench minister: Ken Wyatt.^[132]
  • First Indigenous Australian to become a Queen's Counsel: Tony McAvoy.^{[citation needed]}
  • First Indigenous Australian woman to be ordained to Christian ministry in South Australia: Denise Mary Champion^[133]
• 2016
  • First Indigenous Australian woman elected to Australian House of Representatives: Linda Burney.^[134]
  • First Indigenous Australian to win the X Factor: Isaiah Firebrace.^[135]
• 2017
  • First Indigenous Australian to be appointed a minister in the Commonwealth Government: Ken Wyatt (Minister for Indigenous Health).^[136]
• 2018
  • First Indigenous Australian to compete in a Winter Olympics: Harley Windsor (Figure skating).^[137]
• 2019
  • Twelve year old Indigenous Australian Dujuan Hoosan becomes the youngest person to address the UN Human Rights Council.^[138]

• 2020
  • First Indigenous Australian to win AFLW Best and Fairest: Madison Prespakis.^[139]

• Australian Indigenous Doctors' Association (2009), Journeys into Medicine, AIDA: Sydney. ISBN 978 0 646 52119 0.
• Gale, M-A. (1997) Dhanum Djorra'wuy Dhawu, Aboriginal Research Institute: Underdale. ISBN 0 86803 182 8.
• McMillan, A. (2007) An Intruder's Guide to East Arnhem Land, Niblock Publishing: Darwin. ISBN 978 0 9803904 1 4.
• Rolfe, C. (2009) Winners of the Melbourne Cup: Stories That Stopped a Nation, Red Dog Books: Sydney. ISBN 1 74203 513 2.
• Screen Australia (2010) The Black List, Screen Australia: Sydney. ISBN 978 1 920998 11 0.
• Tatz, C. & Tatz, P. (1996) Black Diamonds, Allen & Unwin: Sydney. ISBN 1 86448 065 3.
• Tatz, C. & Tatz, P. (2000) Black Gold, Aboriginal Studies Press: Canberra. ISBN 0 85575 367 6.