Jimmy Little (2003)

With a career spanning six decades, Jimmy Little is a songwriter and performer of national and international distinction. Jimmy’s first recording was in 1956 at the age of 19 and since then he has marked each decade with music showcasing his distinctive style and personality.

Four of of Jimmy's recordings have reached“gold” status including the chart topping Royal Telephone in 1963 selling more than 750,000 copies and now known as one of his signature tunes.  His nationwide profile grew through regular television appearances, radio airplay and constant touring.

Today Jimmy remains committed to Indigenous education and continues to use his recognition and success as an entertainer to benefit community, spending considerable time as an Indigenous ambassador for Indigenous literacy and numeracy education programs.

Jimmy’s musical accolades includes an ARIA for Best Adult Contemporary Albums, admission to the ARIA Hall of Fame, the National Gospel Music Award, Deadly awards for Outstanding Contribution to Aboriginal Music, Male Artist of the Year, Best Single of the Year and Country Artist of the Year.

In 2003, Jimmy was awarded the Australia Council Red Ochre award. This award pays tribute to an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artist who throughout their lifetime, has made an outstanding contribution to the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts, at both national and international levels.

The presentation of the Red Ochre Award was held in at the Australia Council for the Arts, Sydney in December 2003. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts board chairperson, Dr Richard Walley OAM hosted the presentation ceremony.