Ernie Dingo

Foundation Ambassador, Ernie Dingo, is an Australian actor and entertainer with a particular interest in The Foundation's Indigenous health programs in the Northern Territory.

Ernie is a much loved Australian. In 1990 he was awarded an Order of Australia, in 1994 he was voted 'Aboriginal of the Year' and in 1997 he became a 'National Living Treasure'.

Ernie started his entertainment career in the late 1970s, when the basketball team he was playing for became a dance troupe called 'Middar'! He was then offered the role as co-lead actor in the 1979 Jack Davis play 'Kullark'.

Ever since, Ernie has worked nationally and internationally in television, film and theatre. He is currently host of the Australian seven network's 'The Great Outdoors' and is also the face of the tourism campaign, 'See Australia'.

Ernie was born on Bullardoo Station in Western Australia. He is Wadjarri/Yamatji – Wadjarri is his tongue/language (which Ernie still speaks) and Yamatji are his people/nation. Ernie's tribal name is 'Oondamooroo – 'Oonda' means shield and 'Mooroo' refers to the particular carvings and patterns on the shield.

Ernie's surname, 'Dingo', comes from his grandfather, Dingo Jim, who was a dingo trapper. On his death in 1948, Dingo Jim's name was changed by white authorities in Australia to Jim Dingo – which is how the surname, Dingo, came into being.