David Unaipon, the 'Australian Leonardo', finally gets his due

Manuscript of Legendary Tales of the Australian Aborigine goes on display as case is made for Unesco heritage listing

The handwritten message on the current Australian $50 note is barely legible, to make it harder for forgers. It reads: “As a full-blooded member of my race I think I may claim to be the first - but I hope, not the last - to produce an enduring record of our customs, beliefs and imaginings.”

David Unaipon, the so-called “Australian Leonardo”, the Indigenous inventor, polymath, writer, public orator and preacher (whose portrait adorns the note) wrote those words in the foreword to his historic Legendary Tales of the Australian Aborigines.

Related: Indigenous voices have never been more important to Australian literature | Timmah Ball

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