Introduction
Caroline Lillian Archer (22 February 1922 – 8 December 1978) was an Aboriginal Australian activist.
Born in the Aboriginal reserve in Cherbourg, Queensland to an Aboriginal mother, she became a domestic servant to a supportive family after finishing school. In Brisbane, she was the city's first Aboriginal person to operate a trunkline switchboard as a public servant. She opened and ran a gift shop in Surfers Paradise called Jedda, named after the protagonist of the film of the same name, where she sold Indigenous artefacts, crafts, and art obtained direct from Indigenous sources.
Her activism involved the patenting of Australian Aboriginal culture against cultural exploitation. She later joined the One People of Australia League, where she held the position of executive-officer (1974), and eventually became State president for the organisation.In 1978, Archer joined the Department of Aboriginal Affairs in Canberra, with her responsibilities including the education of Canberra schoolchildren in Indigenous culture.
Awards
In August 1977, Caroline Lillian Archer was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal for her contributions to the community.
Death
Caroline Archer died on 8 December 1978 in a car accident in Coonabarabran. Archer was returning to her home in Brisbane for Christmas at the time of the accident.