Famous Australians

Steve Irwin or "The Crocodile Hunter" is a famous Australian TV personality, wildlife expert and conservationist. Steve put Australia and its wildlife on the map, attracting international interest. Steve lived for his family and for Australia. Sadly Steve died doing what he loved in 2006. For more information on Steve Irwin visit: Steve Irwin, A Tribute To The Crocodile Hunter.

Ned Kelly (1854-1880) was an Australian bushranger, who was considered a folk hero among many for his defiance of the colonial authorities at the time. Ned Kelly was born in Victoria to an Irish convict father (convicts were a major proportion of Australia at this time). After an incident at his home in 1878, Ned Kelly's mother and friends were convicted and taken away. Ned Kelly fled and ended up murdering three policemen (in self defence), from that day Ned Kelly and his gang became wanted outlaws.

Soon the entire Victorian and New South Wales police force began hunting down Ned Kelly. He not only evaded capture, but he started to fight back; robbing banks and distributing the money to his supporters for legal fees.

Ned Kelly made his final stand in a violent confrontation with police at Glenrowan, using home made steel plate armor. He suffered 28 bullet wounds before being caputred and sent to jail. He was hanged for murder of the three policeman at the Old Melbourne Gaol in 1880. Ned Kelly's final words were "Such is life"
Want to know more? Ned Kelly, Bushranger : Australian People.

In Australia a bandit or an outlaw was called a bushranger
One of Australia's most infamous bushrangers was a man named Ned Kelly

Ned Kelly was a wild young bushranger
Out of Victoria he rode with his brother Dan
He loved his people and he loved his freedom
And he loved to ride the wide open land

Ned Kelly was a victim of the changes
That came when his land was a sprout and seed
And the wrongs he did were multiplied in legend
With young Australia growing like a weed

Ned Kelly took the blame
Ned Kelly won the fame
Ned Kelly brought the shame
And then Ned Kelly hanged

Well he hid out in the bush and in the forest
And he loved to hear the wind blow in the trees
While the men behind the badge were coming for him
Ned said they'll never bring me to my knees

But everything was changed and run in cycles
And Ned knew that his day was at an end
He made a suit of armour out of ploughshares
But Ned was brought down by the trooper's men

Ned Kelly took the blame
Ned Kelly won the fame
Ned Kelly brought the shame
And then Ned Kelly hanged

ANZAC stands for: Australian & New Zealand Army Corps.

In April of 1915, the Australian forces launched an offensive against the Turkish control of Dardanelle. Unfortunately the ANZACs were sent to the wrong beach, instead of landing on an open field, they landed on a beach with scrub filled hills overlooking it. Needless to say the Turks were dug in from elevated positions and mowed down the Anzacs as they leapt from the boats.

The campaign cost the lives of 7,600 Australians and 2,500 New Zealanders. 19,000 Australians and 5,000 New Zealanders were wounded.

In 1860 Robert Burke and John Wills led an expedition of 18 men, the goal was to cross Australia from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria. A distance of about 2800km. At the time of their expedition most of inland Australia had yet to be explored and was unknown to settlers.

The south-north leg was completed successfully, but on the return journy both Burke, Wills and nearly all the men died. Leaving John King to be the only person to travel the entire expeidition and return alive to Melbourne.

Eddie Mabo (1936-1992) became famous for his role in campaigning for indigenous land rights. When the British first landed on Australia they introduced a law called "Terra nullius" (empty land). This law prevented indigenous Australians from having ownership over land they had lived on for centuries. All the lands of Australia belonged to the crown (queen/government) and indigenous Australians were required to purchase it (even though they had lived there for all their life).

Eddie Mabo refused to let his indigenious land fall to the crown and began a ten year long court battle to claim his land. Eventually Eddie's court case led him to an appeal in the High Court of Australia.

In 1992 Eddie Mabo died of cancer at age fifty-six. Five months after his death the High Court announced its historic decision, they overturned terra nullius and Eddie Mabo had his land, this opened the door for other indigenious Australians.

Australian's love the underdog (or underhorse), its part of our culture and Phar Lap was definetely an underdog after not placing in his first 8 races. Yes, Phar Lap is a racing horse, but this horse did more then what any human could and united Australia during the great depression.

Phar Lap was born of poor bloodline and was covered in warts, he even nearly died when someone tried to shoot at him. But Phar Lap had heart, actually a heart twice the size of any horse.

Phar Lap went on to win 37 out of his 51 starts, a tremendious winning ratio. He left for America and won his first race with ease, however Phar Lap died the next day.

Banjo Patterson (1864-1941) was a famous Australian poet, author and journalist. He wrote poems about Australian life with particular focus on the bush, rural and outback areas of Australia. His most famous poems include "Waltzing Matilda" and "The Man from Snowy River".

Banjo Patterson is still one of the most wildly known and respected Australian writers. He appears on the Australian $10 note.
Want to know more? Banjo Paterson, Bush Poet.

Oh! there once was a swagman camped in the Billabong,
Under the shade of a Coolabah tree;
And he sang as he looked at his old billy boiling,
"Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me."

Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda, my darling,
Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?
Waltzing Matilda and leading a water-bag --
Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?

Down came a jumbuck to drink at the water-hole,
Up jumped the swagman and grabbed him in glee;
And he sang as he put him away in his tucker-bag,
"You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me!"

Down came the Squatter a-riding his thorough-bred;
Down came Policemen -- one, two, and three.
"Whose is the jumbuck you've got in the tucker-bag?
You'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me."

But the swagman, he up and he jumped in the water-hole,
Drowning himself by the Coolabah tree;
And his ghost may be heard as it sings in the Billabong,
"Who'll come a-waltzing Matilda with me?"