John Kundereri Moriarty

Today a full member of the Yanyuwa people of his birthplace, and belonging ceremonially to the rainbow serpent and kangaroo Dreamings, Moriarty has held senior and executive positions in the Department of Aboriginal Affairs at both federal and state government levels. He is a long-time advocate for Indigenous rights and Indigenous arts.

Early life and education Moriarty was born around 1938

A few years later, in January 1949, It was also at St Francis where he started playing football. His talent was recognised, and as it became his passion, he was given a pair of football boots and a new goal in life.

In 1970 Moriarty graduated from Flinders University with a Bachelor of Arts, the first Aboriginal person to do so.

Activism Moriarty was a foundation member of South Australia's Aborigines' Progress Association in 1964, becoming vice-president of the organisation, which fought for land rights and established the groundwork for an Aboriginal legal service (now referred to as an ATSILS, a specialised community legal centre).

Soccer Moriarty played association football (soccer) for South Australian First Division teams Port Thistle and Adelaide Juventus before playing for Adelaide Croatia, alongside St Francis House schoolmates Perkins (also his cousin) and Briscoe.

In 1960 he was selected to play his first game for the state, which meant travelling to Western Australia. In order for him to be allowed to travel out of the state, the South Australian Soccer Federation had to get permission from the Protector of Aborigines who also wrote a book about Point McLeay mission ). Also in 1960, Moriarty was the first recognised Indigenous Australian to be selected for a national soccer team. and has received money from outside sources such as Tim Cahill. , Craig Foster is a board member of the JMF. who played her debut game for the Young Matildas in 2018, and plays in the W-League.

Indigenous Football Week Indigenous Football Week was established in 2015. It is an initiative of JMF, in partnership with FA, the Professional Footballers Australia (PFA), SBS TV, NITV, and FOX Sports. Its fifth edition was celebrated in JMF communities in the Northern Territory, New South Wales, and Queensland.

Australian rules footballer Adam Goodes was patron of Indigenous Football Week in 2020.

His wife Ros Moriarty is managing director of the Jumbana Group and creative director of Balarinji Studio.

Between 1994 and 2004 Moriarty served on the board of Indigenous Business Australia.

He has also served on other boards and councils, including Sydney Harbour Federation Trust, the National Indigenous Council, the National Aboriginal and Islander Health Council, the Australian International Cultural Committee, the NSW Government Aboriginal Business Round Table, the Sustainable Minerals Institute at the University of Queensland, the Northern Territory Tourist Commission, and the South Australian Museum. He has chaired the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board of the Australia Council, the ATSIC Electoral Boundaries Review Committee, and the National Aboriginal Sports Corporation of Australia.

Awards and honours 1971 – recipient of a Churchill Fellowship 1997 – Honorary doctorate from University of South Australia 2001 – Flinders University Convocation Medal 2014 – Inducted into the Australian Design Hall of Fame 2016 – Honorary doctorate of Flinders University

Personal life John and Ros Moriarty were married in 1982. Ros was born in Tasmania, and graduated from Australian National University. She worked as a journalist for Radio Australia, and later worked in senior roles in the Department of Aboriginal Affairs in Canberra and Sydney. She also received the Advance Australia Award for service to industry and commerce, and in 2010, published her memoir, Listening to Country.

They have three children.

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