Gordon Briscoe

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Gordon Briscoe
Born1938 (1938)
Died2023 (aged 84–85)
NationalityAustralian
EducationBA (Hist), MA, PhD - Australian National University
OccupationResearch Fellow
EmployerAustralian National University

Dr Gordon Briscoe OAM (1938–2023)[1] was an Aboriginal Australian activist and a retired football player.[2] He was a member of the Stolen Generations.

Briscoe was born in Alice Springs. He was descended from the Marduntjara and Pitjantjatjara nations of Central Australia. He was taken away from his mother as a child and was taught at a Christian mission in Adelaide.[3] Briscoe played football (soccer) for Adelaide in the South Australian league. He played alongside his schoolmate Charles Perkins. In 1958, he moved to England with the hope of playing professional football. He had small jobs with Barnet and Preston North End, but he did not make a first team appearance. He went back to Australia at the suggestion of Perkins.[2][4] The two of them later played recreational football with the Australian National University from 1968 to about 1972.

Briscoe began studying at ANU in 1981. His focus was on the indigenous history of Australia. He was involved in the production of the SBS documentary First Australians.[5] He got his PhD in 1997.

Briscoe also worked as an activist for indigenous Australians. He was involved in the establishment of the Aboriginal Progress Association in the 1950s, the Aboriginal Legal Service in the 1960s and the Aboriginal Medical Service in 1972.[5]

References[change | change source]

  1. "Vale Professor Gordon Briscoe AO". AIATSIS. 2023-07-07. Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Jupp, James (2001). The Australian People: An Encyclopedia of the Nation, Its People and Their Origins. Cambridge University Press. p. 248. ISBN 0-521-80789-1.
  3. "People - Gordon Briscoe". Collaborating for Indigenous Rights. National Museum of Australia. Archived from the original on 2008-07-22. Retrieved 2008-12-16.
  4. "Catalogue - Summary". National Library of Australia. Retrieved 2008-12-16.
  5. 5.0 5.1 "Staff Profile - John Moriarty". Australian National University. Archived from the original on 2008-07-19. Retrieved 2008-12-16.