Roger Jose

Roger Jose ( – 7 October 1963) was a hermit and labourer who spent much of his life in Borroloola in the Northern Territory of Australia. He was a self-acknowledged eccentric and one of the region's most famous outback characters.

Life in the Northern Territory

Little is known of Jose's early life and it is thought he was likely born in New South Wales, but details of who his family were are unknown. Jose also wrote frequent letters to the editor of The Northern Standard.

In 1933 Jose was featured in an article written by Ernestine Hill entitled "The last of the Beachcombers" in which she frequently compares him to Bill Harney and says that:

In 1962 Jose was interviewed by David Attenborough and featured in an episode of Quest Under Capricorn called "Hermits of Borroloola". This episode was first broadcast in 1963.

He was the subject of a song "Roger was no death adder" by Ted Egan.

He died at his home on 7 October 1963 and was survived by his wife Biddy.