AustLit

'Burnum Burnum, born Harry Penrith during 1936, was a prominent Australian and a leader in the Aboriginal societies in which he grew up. Burnum Burnum, a name which he took from his greatgrandfather, was born at Wallaga Lake on the south coast of New South Wales. His mother came from this region and his father from Victoria, and his traditional ties were both Woiworung and Yorta Yorta. It was not surprising, therefore, that he was best known for his early political activity in southern New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, where he was educated. In his very early childhood he was admitted by the NS W government to the United Aborigines Mission's home for children at Bomaderry. As was customary for state wards reaching primary school, he went to Kinchela boys home near Kempsey. Harry Penrith excelled at high school. On leaving school, he was employed in 1955 in the N.S.W. Department of Agriculture.' (Introduction)