Using Daeng Rangka

Using Daeng Rangka, also known as Husein Daeng Rangka (–1927) was a Makassan fisherman and ship's captain, one of many trepangers who had early contact with Aboriginal Australians in northern Australia, and said to be the last to visit Australia in 1907. He had children with at least one Yolngu woman and has descendants in both Indonesia and Australia.

Early life Using Daeng Rangka

Trepanging career Fishermen from the Indonesian islands travelled across to the Australian continent to harvest trepang, a type of sea cucumber, from at least the 18th century. In December 1883, Rangka acquired one of the first trepanging licences issued by the South Australian Government, for his prau, Bondeng Patola. His published accounts and memoirs formed the basis for great study in the history of Australia–Indonesia relations.

Later life and death The Australian authorities shut down the trepang trade in 1907, as British settlement spread across the top of the continent, and in this year, Rangka made his final voyage to the continent. He made one last journey to the Lesser Sunda Islands before retiring to .

He died at Kampong Maloku in 1927.