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May L. O'Brien May L. O'Brien i(A46390 works by) (a.k.a. May Lorna O'Brien; May O'Brien)
Born: Established: 1933 Laverton, Goldfields area, Southeast Western Australia, Western Australia, ;
Gender: Female
Heritage: Aboriginal
(Storyteller) assertion
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BiographyHistory

May O'Brien's long career as a teacher in Western Australia began at Mount Margaret Mission, where she had grown up. After twenty-five years of teaching in rural and suburban schools she was transferred from the classroom to the Aboriginal Education Branch as a consultant, whose task was to facilitate the establishment of Aboriginal committees on education throughout the state.

O'Brien's contribution to education, particularly to Aboriginal education, was acknowledged with a British Empire Medal in 1977. She was also the recipient of a Churchill fellowship in 1984 to study education programmes in other Western societies, with a view to enabling indigenous people to retain their own cultures while adjusting to mainstream culture. In 1985 O'Brien was appointed to the position of Superintendant of Aboriginal Education. O'Brien has also been involved with the Aboriginal Lands Trust in Western Australia. In 2009, part of her life story was featured in the National Museum of Australia's exhibition From Little Things Big Things Grow: Fighting For Indigenous Rights 1920-1970.

Most Referenced Works

Personal Awards

2011 finalist Australian of the Year Awards Senior Australian of the Year Western Australian finalist.
2009 Winner Deadly Sounds Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music, Sport, Entertainment and Community Awards Outstanding Achievement in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
1998 inaugural winner John Curtin Medal May O'Brien taught in rural and metropolitan schools for over 25 years before establishing the Aboriginal Committees on Education in WA. She also played an instrumental role in setting up Curtin's Aboriginal bridging course, providing young Aboriginal people with the chance to receive a tertiary education.
Last amended 19 Jun 2019 16:13:35
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