Uncle Lewis Yarlupurka O'Brien

Uncle Lewis Yarlupurka O’Brien – Kaurna Elder

Uncle Lewis Yarlupurka O’Brien is a senior Kaurna Elder, educator, advisor, and mentor, and writer and speaker of the Kaurna language. He has been an Adjunct Research Fellow at UniSA since 2006.

He is widely regarded as a leader of reconciliation and custodian of Kaurna culture. Uncle Lewis continues to be involved, active, and informed across all issues regarding Aboriginal peoples and is a leading light for all South Australians.

He is the recipient of many awards and honours:

• 1995: Telecom Advance Australia Award of Merit
• 1997: NAIDOC Elder of the Year
• 2000: Port Adelaide Enfield Council Elder of the Year
• 2003: “Local Hero” Metropolitan Australia Day Awards
• 2003: Centenary Medal (2001)
• 2004: Fellow of the University of SA
• 2008: World Harmony Run Torch-Bearer Award
• 2009: Citizen of Humanity (National Committee of Human Rights)
• 2011: Honorary Doctorate Flinders University
• 2014: Officer of the Order of Australia Medal (AO)
• 2018: Australian Council for Educational Leaders (ACEL) Award
• 2019: South Australian Life-Long History Achievement Award

Uncle Lewis was a key consultant in integrating Aboriginal knowledge into science and engineering programs, which was an Australian first.

He was a chief investigator on an Australian Research Council grant investigating the relationship between Aboriginal Knowledge and the environment, which was one of the first research projects of this kind to be developed and acknowledged by the ARC.

Uncle Lewis is a member of UniSA’s Purkarninthi (Elders) in Residence group, which supports Aboriginal learning across the University.

“To achieve in life, you have a greater chance if you are educated.”

-Uncle Lewis Yarlupurka O’Brien, AO
  Kaurna Elder

Uncle Lewis has made a substantial commitment to keeping Kaurna language and ways of knowing alive.

Uncle Lewis has been a driving force in Aboriginal education and has always talked up positive examples of Aboriginal ways of learning and the genius of all First Nations.

He is always approachable to have a yarn, whether it is with students or staff, he gives of his time generously in a good spirit and always with a sense of humour.

-Distinguished Professor, Irene Watson