First Australians | National Library of Australia (NLA)

First Australians

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Black and white photo of Aboriginal Australian cricketers in 1868 with C. Lawrence and W. Shepherd as Manager and Captain

Aboriginal Australian cricketers with C. Lawrence & W. Shepherd as Manager and Captain, England, 1868, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-136410831

First Nations sporting greats

First Nations athletes have been involved in some of our most triumphant moments in sport and continue to make a significant contribution to our nation’s sport at all levels.

First Australians
Research guide
Three pieces of ephemera from the 2023 Referendum

A selection of publicly donated referendum items in our collection.

Donate your 2023 Referendum campaign material

We're calling on you to help us collect campaign material from the 2023 Referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

Blog
Three pieces of ephemera from the 2023 Referendum

A selection of publicly donated referendum items in our collection.

​​Collecting the 2023 Referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice​

The National Library of Australia is calling on all Australians to help collect campaign material from the 2023 Referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.

Media release
Deadly Dialogues
Deadly Dialogues: Photographers in conversation

A conversation of First Nations photographers with Uncle Mervyn Bishop, Prof. Wayne Quilliam, Aunty Barbara McGrady, Tiffany Garvie, Michael Jalaru Torres, and Tamati Smith.

Event
Video
Two men hug and another man shakes one of their hands

Juno Gemes, Countrymen, elders from Arakun and Mornington Island greeting each other before a ceremony, Mornington Island, Queensland, 1978, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-147616168

Bringing Them Home oral history project

Between 1998 and 2002, people from all over Australia told us their stories as part of the Bringing Them Home oral history project.

First Australians
Information article
A black and white photo of a man playing a guitar on a boat

Frank Hurley, A diver entertains while on his way to the fishing grounds, 1910, nla.gov.au/nla.obj-157724827

Torres Strait Islands collection research guide

Highlights collection items in our catalogue from the 5 major island clusters in the Torres Straits Region.

First Australians
Research guide
Cover of the book 'Strangers on Country'
Strangers on Country

David Hartley and Kirsty Murray. Illustrated by Dub Leffler

Book
First Australians
NLA Publishing book
Cover of the book 'Sorry Day'
Sorry Day

Coral Vass and Dub Leffler

Book
First Australians
NLA Publishing book
You can't forget things like that
Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants oral history project

The National Library conducted an oral history project to record the lives and experiences of Forgotten Australians and Former Child Migrants.

First Australians
Information article
Collection guide
Ferguson Collection

Over 32,000 items, including rare books, pamphlets, maps, and ephemera, covering topics such as Oceania, transport, and literature. Compiled by Sir John Alexander Ferguson, it is a key resource for Australian history and bibliography.

Collection guide

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