Dr James Little AO - A Living Treasure

Jimmy began his recording career in 1956 with Regal Zonophone. He then launched his career at Festival records with a 45rpm EP called “Ballads with a Beat.” It reached top 10 in the Australian musical charts and was quickly followed throughout the 60s with a string of EPs, singles and albums including the chart topping “Royal Telephone” in 1963.

Selling more than 75,000 copies, it achieved gold record status and became one of his signature tunes. His nation-wide profile grew through regular TV appearances, radio airplay and constant touring. He also began acting in the late 50s with a major role in “Shadow of the Boomerang” followed by performances in stage plays including “Black Cockatoos” and a film by Tracy Moffatt and Wim Wenders “Until the End of the World”.

Uncle Jimmy and grandson James Henry.

In the 70s Jimmy was acknowledged as one of this country’s premier country music stars but he also remained fond of big orchestral sounds which were heard on his 1972 album “Winterwood” and “An evening with Jimmy Little – live at the Sydney Opera House”. Jimmy diversified into reggae music in the 80s and became known as a role model and mentor for Indigenous youth. To this day Jimmy remains heavily involved with Indigenous education.

In 1999, Jimmy received an ARIA award for Adult Contemporary album “Messenger” which reached the top 10 of the alternative music charts and introduced Jimmy to a new, younger audience. That same year, Jimmy was inducted into the ARIA Australian Music Hall of Fame. Jimmy continues to record and perform. He has received almost every major Australian music industry award during his career, including membership to the Tamworth Roll of Renown, plus honorary doctorates from QUT, Sydney University and The Australian Catholic University. Jimmy was the recipient of the National Aboriginal Day of Observance Committee’s “Aboriginal of the Year” award in 1989, was named NSW Senior Australian of the Year in 2002 and received the Australia Council’s Red Ochre Award in 2004.

He has been awarded an AO (Order of Australia) for his continued work with Indigenous Health and Education programs and in 2004 a public vote named him “a living Australian treasure”.

Following a successful kidney transplant in February 2004, Dr Little now travels Australia attending community events, health seminars and music festivals. He is the patron of The Indigenous Doctors Association of Australia, an ambassador for The Fred Hollows Foundation and Kidney Health Australia. Dr Little is also an ambassador for literacy and numeracy with the Federal Department of Education Science and Training, reinforcing positive messages to schoolchildren across Australia. In 2006, he began the Jimmy Little Foundation to improve renal health across Indigenous communities in regional and remote Australia.

Please visit the sponsorship or donations page to see how you can help Jimmy to make life better for the first Australians.