Cissy McLeod
Introduction
Cissy McLeod sometimes spelt Cissie McLeod (c.20 July 1896 – 6 February 1928) was the first Indigenous Australian woman to receive a bronze medal from the Royal Humane Society for her act of bravery when saving her step-mother in Darwin in the Northern Territory of Australia.
Early life
McLeod was born in Borroloola, the daughter of Polly and Arthur McLeod. She had one sister, Clara. McLeod was adopted by Captain Frederick Mugg, of the Government Steamer in Darwin, and his wife Mrs Mary Mugg. She attended the Convent school in Darwin.
Act of bravery
On 9 January 1912, McLeod, who was 13 at the time, saved her adoptive mother Mary, who, on a dark night, fell off a jetty and disappeared into the waters of Darwin Harbour. Against the strong tide, McLeod jumped in the water and brought Mugg, who was unable to swim, to a pillar where she kept her afloat until they received assistance from a steamer SS Suffolk that was moored at the pier.
The incident was brought to the attention of the Minister of External Affairs, who notified the Royal Humane Society. She was then awarded a bronze medal by the for her bravery on 12 September 1913 in front of a crowd of more than 100 people. At the ceremony it was stated that "it was no light thing for this child without a moment's hesitation, into the darkness of the night, to leap down into a sea known to be alive with sharks and alligators, to help one she loved."
McLeod worked as a teacher and organist at the Methodist Sunday School and at the Kahlin Compound, before moving to Singapore with her sister Clara and the Muggs. She then visted England and France, where she contracted tuberculosis and died on 6 February 1928, aged 31. She was buried at Sutton in Surrey.