The Southern Highlands Who's Who
Distinguished and Famous people from The Southern Highlands
1. Sir Donald Bradman
Sir Donald Bradman was one of Australia's greatest cricketers and is considered to be the greatest batsman of all time. Born on 27th August 1908 in Cootamundra, New South Wales, Bradman spent his formative years in Bowral, a town located in the Southern Highlands region. He played 52 Test matches for Australia between 1928 and 1948, boasting an incredible batting average of 99.94.
2. Brett Whiteley
Brett Whiteley was an acclaimed Australian artist known for his vibrant and expressive paintings. He was born on 7th April 1939 in Sydney, New South Wales, but spent a significant part of his childhood in the Southern Highlands region. Whiteley gained international recognition for his diverse artistic style, and his works have been exhibited worldwide.
3. Mary Gilmore
Mary Gilmore was a prominent Australian writer and social reformer. She was born on 16th August 1865 in Mary Vale, near Goulburn, New South Wales. Gilmore spent a considerable amount of time in the Southern Highlands area and wrote memoirs detailing her experiences in the region. Throughout her life, she made significant contributions to Australian literature, receiving numerous awards and honors for her work.
4. Paul Kelly
Paul Kelly is a renowned Australian singer-songwriter and musician. He was born on 13th January 1955 in Adelaide, South Australia, but later moved to the Southern Highlands region. Kelly's music spans across various genres, including rock, folk, and country. He has released numerous critically acclaimed albums and has won numerous Australian music awards throughout his career.
5. Thomas Keneally
Thomas Keneally is an established Australian author known for his historical fiction and non-fiction works. He was born on 7th October 1935 in Sydney, New South Wales. Although not a native of the Southern Highlands, Keneally resided in the Bowral area for many years. He has written over 30 novels, including the internationally acclaimed "Schindler's Ark," which was adapted into the movie "Schindler's List."
6. Judith Wright
Judith Wright was a celebrated Australian poet, environmentalist, and campaigner for Aboriginal land rights. She was born on 31st May 1915 in Armidale, New South Wales. Although not directly from the Southern Highlands, Wright had a strong connection to the region, spending a significant amount of time there during her lifetime. Her poetry often reflected her passion for the Australian environment and indigenous culture.
7. Bob Brown
Bob Brown is an influential Australian environmentalist and former politician. He was born on 27th December 1944 in Oberon, New South Wales. While Brown's birthplace is not in the Southern Highlands, he had notable involvement in the region's environmental campaigns. Brown co-founded the Australian Greens and served as a Senator for Tasmania from 1996 to 2012.
8. Ken Rosewall
Ken Rosewall is a legendary Australian tennis player, widely regarded as one of the greatest in the sport's history. He was born on 2nd November 1934 in Hurstville, New South Wales. Although not born in the Southern Highlands, Rosewall spent part of his life in the Bowral area and played tennis at the Mittagong RSL Tennis Club. He won a total of 23 Grand Slam titles throughout his career.
9. Jill Ker Conway
Jill Ker Conway was a renowned Australian-American author and feminist. She was born on 9th October 1934 in Hillston, New South Wales. Conway spent her early years in the Coorain region of the Southern Highlands, an experience she later documented in her memoir "The Road from Coorain." She achieved great success as an author and served as the first female president of Smith College in the United States.
10. Simon Baker
Simon Baker is a well-known Australian actor and director. He was born on 30th July 1969 in Launceston, Tasmania. Although not originally from the Southern Highlands, Baker moved to the region later in life. He gained global recognition for his lead role as Patrick Jane in the television series "The Mentalist" and has also appeared in several successful films throughout his career.
