Gordon Briscoe

Dr Gordon Briscoe OAM (1938–2023)^[1] was an Aboriginal Australian activist and a retired football player.^[2] He was a member of the Stolen Generations.

Gordon Briscoe
Born	1938 (1938) Alice Springs, Northern Territory
Died	2023 (aged 84–85)
Nationality	Australian
Education	BA (Hist), MA, PhD - Australian National University
Occupation	Research Fellow
Employer	Australian National University

Briscoe was born in Alice Springs. He was descended from the Marduntjara and Pitjantjatjara nations of Central Australia. He was taken away from his mother as a child and was taught at a Christian mission in Adelaide.^[3] Briscoe played football (soccer) for Adelaide in the South Australian league. He played alongside his schoolmate Charles Perkins. In 1958, he moved to England with the hope of playing professional football. He had small jobs with Barnet and Preston North End, but he did not make a first team appearance. He went back to Australia at the suggestion of Perkins.^[2][4] The two of them later played recreational football with the Australian National University from 1968 to about 1972.

Briscoe began studying at ANU in 1981. His focus was on the indigenous history of Australia. He was involved in the production of the SBS documentary First Australians.^[5] He got his PhD in 1997.

Briscoe also worked as an activist for indigenous Australians. He was involved in the establishment of the Aboriginal Progress Association in the 1950s, the Aboriginal Legal Service in the 1960s and the Aboriginal Medical Servicein 1972.^[5]