100 People

Some of these people will seem very familiar, while for others, you will know their achievements, or benefit from them, but perhaps not know their names. All of these people have, in many extraordinary ways, shaped Australia. There are athletes, politicians, writers and performers, doctors and explorers, entrepreneurs, media moguls, aviators, agriculturalists, activists and architects. Also, there are researchers who transformed the lives of millions, as well as novelists, poets, painters, photographers, an outlaw and a saint.

These people’s lives span four centuries, from the eighteenth to the twenty-first. A number of them came from circumstances that should have meant they lived their lives in obscurity. Instead, through drive, persistence or favourable circumstances, they achieved something remarkable that enriched Australia’s story. Others deployed their talents and advantages to push the boundaries of knowledge and human achievement. Many of these people are intrinsic to our national life while others are quieter achievers, or we have only recently become aware of their contribution to our nation.

These 100 entries etch the life journeys and accomplishments of individuals, couples, families or professional teams, as it is rare – if not impossible – for one person to make a notable mark on his or her own. Each entry provides a rich snapshot of a slice of history that was shaped by the people presented here.

Selecting 100 entries has been a surprisingly challenging task. A diverse committee of 14 people nominated those they considered had made a mark in the areas of history, science, nature or culture. The nominations had to reflect an inclusive picture of Australian society and an expansive view of what Australia was and is. Much discussion ensued as the nominations were whittled down. The 100 chosen include many people not born on Australian soil, or Australian-born people whose influence and achievements extended well beyond Australia’s shores. These 100 entries generate a picture of Australia as a global crossroads of people and ideas that reflect Australian conditions and circumstances in many ways.

In a project such as this it is very easy to fall prey to a repetition of historical clichés, but it is hoped that even with the most familiar of names, there will still be something surprising and thought-provoking. Of course, not everyone deserving of recognition appears here. Those included may generate debate – this is to be encouraged. What Australia was and is has never been fixed, and what has shaped us shifts and changes, too. This keeps the past alive. The people presented here did what they loved or were gifted with, or faced daunting challenges and somehow overcame them. Some lives coincided with momentous historical events, and these people met the tests of their time. Many of the people noted here were connected to each other in ways that illustrate how serendipitous encounters or other life-path crossings helped transmit ideas, or inspire or provoke reactions that led to important change.

These 100 entries are organised into six groups: Spirited, Innovators, Revolutionaries, Resilient, Curious and Underdogs. The Spirited are those who reveal a typical quality, mood or attitude that is considered Australian. Innovators are groundbreaking pioneers whose impact or achievements have influenced future generations. People who have caused a complete or dramatic change in history or direction have been included as Revolutionaries. Those who have proven their ability to survive despite adversity are listed as Resilient. The Curious are inquisitive individuals who have challenged the status quo to learn and discover, while the Underdogs have displayed that much-loved Australian quality of having succeeded against unlikely odds. Owing to the diversity of people and their achievements, many are not neat fits in just one category, but it is hoped that these six groups offer another way to think about what these people did to shape Australia.

Dr Patricia O’Brien, Guest Author and Historian 100 People.
Australian Research Council Future Fellow in the School
of History, Australian National University

This 100 People component of 200 Treasures of the Australian Museum highlights the profiles and stories of those who have shaped the nation and reflect the AM’s values and the spirit of what it means to be Australian. The people selected, who demonstrate these values, are organised under the following themes: