Australia's Invisible History

Charles O’Neil was the founder of Vinnies in New South Wales. An accomplished engineer and a former Parliamentarian in New Zealand, Charles was torn between his professional career and his desire to serve the poor. Charles sought a ‘more authentic vision of Christian charity that was unobtrusive, non-judgemental and respected the dignity of the poor’. At the request of the charity, he moved to Australia to establish the work of St Vincent de Paul around The Rocks area of Sydney. His energy, drive and passion took Vinnies from strength to strength and today the organisation helps 1.8 million Australians every year.

Further information:

Captain Charles, Engineer of Charity by Stephen Utick https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/oneill-charles-gordon-4333

https://www.vinnies.org.au/page/About/History/Founder_of_the_Society_in_Australia/

You can find Dr Paul Roe online at theoutbackhistorian.com.au

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Thomas Shadrac James is one of Australia’s most successful teachers. He turned a wooden building on the Murray River into a bush university for the Yorta Yorta people – one that grew leaders who changed Australia!

The son of indentured labourers in Mauritius, Thomas Shadrac James believed that education could empower Australia’s Aboriginal people to campaign for equality and justice. Many of his students, like William Cooper and Sir Doug Nicholls, went on to become the leaders of the civil rights movement in Australia. Together with his son, he founded the first Aboriginal political party in Australia – the Aborigines Progressives Association.

Further information:

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-11-10/thomas-shadrach-james-teacher-of-aboriginal-activists/12846650

https://www.monash.edu/education/future-students/why-study-with-us/scholarships/thomas-shadrach-james

https://christiantoday.com.au/news/thomas-shadrach-james-australian-educator.html

You can find Dr Paul Roe online at theoutbackhistorian.com.au

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David Bussau was a multi-millionaire by the age of 35.  Abandoned at an orphanage as a child, he set up his first business – a hotdog stand at the footy – by the age of 15. David’s entrepreneurial spirit wasn’t satisfied with just being rich, he also wanted to make a difference. When Cyclone Tracey struck Darwin, David found his first opportunity to help. It set him on a path that would see him become the co-founder of Opportunity International - a charity that fights poverty through microfinance loans.  His dream was to help the poor help themselves. 

David Bussau was awarded the Order of Australia and named Senior Australian of the Year in 2008.

Further information:

Don’t Look Back: How an abandoned child became a champion of the poor by Phillipa Tyndale

https://australianoftheyear.org/recipients/david-bussau/121/

https://opportunity.org.au/what-we-do/about-us/david-bussau-and-our-history

Watch David Bussau on Australian Story:  https://opportunity.org.au/news/videos/australian-story-david-bussau

You can find Dr Paul Roe online at theoutbackhistorian.com.au

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‘Everyone has a song to sing…’

Sister Janet Mead was a humble nun who shot into the international music charts in 1974 with a rock version of The Lord’s Prayer.  Her unexpected hit reached number 3 on the Australian music charts.  She was the first Australian to achieve gold record status in the US.  But she turned down the chance to record her own music and tour the world, to continue teaching.  She was named South Australian Citizen of the Year in 2005 for her decades of caring for the homeless.

Further reading:

Vale Sister Janet Mead - | State Library of South Australia (slsa.sa.gov.au)

Sister Janet Mead, who turned The Lord's Prayer into a rock hit, dies aged 84 - ABC News

South Australian Sister Janet Mead dies aged 84 (theaustralian.com.au)

Sister Janet Mead — a REAL rocker nun | A Nun's Life Ministry (anunslife.org)

You can find Dr Paul Roe online at theoutbackhistorian.com.au

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Mei Quong Tart was a Sydney businessman and Mandarin of the Fourth Grade.

His QVB tearooms were regarded as the finest in the city. Quong Tart was an active philanthropist, and his thriving business was a hub of charity and community.  He hosted free meals for the city’s homeless, for Aboriginal Australians and anyone in need.

A leader in the Chinese community and an anti-drug campaigner, Quong Tart was a colourful character who embraced Chinese, Scottish and Australian culture.

Further reading:

Who was Quong Tart? | State Library of NSW

Quong Tart, wife Margaret, and family, 1903 - Chinese Australian Families - Culture Victoria (cv.vic.gov.au)

Biography - Mei Quong Tart - Australian Dictionary of Biography (anu.edu.au)

You can find Dr Paul Roe online at theoutbackhistorian.com.au

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Professor Graeme Clark may not be a household name, but as the man behind the Cochlear implant or ‘bionic ear’, he is one of Australia’s most successful inventors. When he first outlined his dream of bypassing the inner ear so deaf people could hear, he was ridiculed by many in the medical profession. Today, hundreds of thousands of deaf and hearing-impaired people have benefitted from his invention. In 2001, he was named Senior Australian of the Year.

Further reading:

About Graeme Clark - Graeme Clark Foundation

Professor Graeme Clark AC - Australian of the Year

Professor Graeme Clark, Otolaryngologist | Australian Academy of Science

You can find Dr Paul Roe online at theoutbackhistorian.com.au

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Meet the man behind the iconic department store.

Coming to Australia in the 1830’s, David Jones created a new way to do business. 

Well known for his landmark department store, he used his wealth to serve his community. Along with other members of the influential Pitt Street Congregational Church, his goal was to serve God through his business and contribute to a better society. 

You can find Paul Roe online at TheOutbackHistorian.com.au

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Fascinated by anatomy from a young age, Constance Stone was unable to study medicine in Australia because no Australian university would accept women. Undeterred, she travelled to the USA, Canada and the UK to train as a doctor. After working in London’s New Hospital for Women, she was inspired to create a hospital “by women, for women” in Melbourne.  With support from her doctor husband, her sister Clara and a team of young women doctors, she founded the Queen Victoria Hospital for Women.

Further Reading:
The Life of Dr Constance Stone
Australian Dictionary of Biography - Constance Stone
The Australian Women's Register

You can find Paul Roe online at The Outback Historian

 

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David Garland was the driving force behind Anzac Day commemorations.  Garland was a minister and volunteer military chaplain who served in the Middle East during the first world war. His love for the service men and women of the first world war led him to campaign for public recognition of their service and sacrifices.  He initiated many of the common elements of Anzac Day commemorations such as marches, wreath-laying and observing 2 minutes silence. 

Further Reading:
Australian Dictionary of Biography - David Garland

David Garland Restoration

Memorial to David Garland

Moses, John. George F. Davis. Anzac Day Origins: Canon DJ Garland and Trans-Tasman Commemoration, Barton Books, 2013.

You can find Paul Roe online at The Outback Historian

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An orchardist, trader, midwife and mother, Maria Ann ‘Granny’ Smith was highly regarded in her community, as were her distinctive green apples. After her passing, her popular apple became famous around the globe. However, behind this well-known apple is a lesser-known message, for everyone who has ever felt discarded. 

Further Reading:
Ryde Government Website
Granny Smith Apple
Australian Food Timeline

You can find Paul Roe online at The Outback Historian

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