Did you know?

There are now over 140 Indigenous medical practitioners in Australia. In 1991 there were just 3 Indigenous medical practitioners. There are also 137 Indigenous medical students training to become the next generation of Indigenous doctors. 

Source: Medical Deans Australia and New Zealand and Australian Indigenous Doctors Association

Everyone has an uncle in their pocket. David Unaipon, a Ngarrindjeri man born at Raukkan Mission in South Australia, is the face of the $50 note.

David Unaipon was the first published Aboriginal author. In 1909 he patented an improved type of hand-piece for mechanical sheep shears. In 1914 he investigated the flight pattern of the boomerang and realised that its aerodynamic principle could be applied to aircraft. Anticipating the helicopter, he predicted that such aircraft would one day be carried aboard ships. He was also interested in ballistics and the practical uses of polarised light, and predicted the type of weaponry now using laser technology.

His interests ranged so widely that one newspaper referred to him as 'Australia's Leonardo da Vinci'. In 1953 Unaipon was awarded the Coronation Medal in recognition of his many achievements. He died in the Tailem Bend Hospital and was buried at Point McLeay.

Source: Encyclopedia of Aboriginal Australia

On May 27 1967, over 90% of the Australian public voted to give Aboriginal people civil rights. It was the largest ever "yes" vote  recorded in an Australian referendum to alter the Constitution.