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A Minjungbul, Goernpil, Noonuccal and South Sea Islander woman from Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island, Queensland), Lisa Bellear was a prolific and widely admired activist, photographer, broadcaster, poet, feminist, academic and performer.

Lisa gained a Bachelor of Social Work and Master of Arts (Gender Studies) (Hons) at the University of Melbourne and then went on to complete a second masters and commence a PhD at LaTrobe University. During her academic career, Lisa lectured in Indigenous Studies at the University of Melbourne and several other universities. She was an advocate and champion of Indigenous student wellbeing on campus, working as an Aboriginal Liaison Officer at the University of Melbourne.

Lisa’s influence extended well beyond the academic community. She documented the highs and lows, tensions and celebratory moments of Melbourne’s Indigenous community, ensuring that these people and events are remembered as integral parts of Melbourne’s history. Her photographs are now held by the Koorie Heritage Trust – a collection of more than 25 years of protest marches, community celebrations, portraits, signs and graffiti, and personal photographs. She used radio to raise the profile of Indigenous voices for 20 years, co-founding Not Another Koori Show on community radio 3CR, among others. Lisa’s poetry was published widely in Australia and internationally, with collections such as Dreaming in Urban Areas (1996) exploring the lived experiences of Aboriginal people in contemporary Australian society.

A member of the stolen generations, Lisa served on the Victorian Stolen Generations Taskforce, the Victorian Sorry Day Committee and was a council member of Reconciliation Victoria until late 2005.

Following her unexpected death in 2006, Lisa Bellear was inducted into the Victorian Honour Roll of Women and was conferred a Doctor of Letters (honoris causa) by LaTrobe University.

Image credit:
Lisa Bellear, Aboriginal Liaison Officer, 16 September 1987
The University of Melbourne Archives
(2003.0003.00891)
Photographer: Norman Wodetzki.