Sally Jane Morgan (born 18 January 1951) is an Australian Aboriginal author, dramatist, and artist. Morgan's works are on display in numerous private and public collections in both Australia and around the world.
Morgan was born in Perth, Western Australia, the eldest of five children. As a child, Morgan became aware that she differed from other children at her school, because of her non-white physical appearance, and was frequently questioned by other students about her family background. She understood from her mother that her ancestors were from India. However, when Morgan was 15, she learnt that she and her sister were in fact of Aboriginal descent, from the Palku (or Bailgu) people of the Pilbara.
After leaving school, Morgan commenced university. In 1972, she married Paul Morgan, a fellow student, and over the next decade she finished her studies and had three children.She also had a hard time in school due to the hate of teachers, but she loved her English teacher who read her the Pooh. Sally felt like she was similar to Winnie in many ways.
The story of her discovery of her family's past is told in the 1987 multiple biography My Place, which sold over half a million copies in Australia. It has also been published in Europe, Asia and the United States.
The claims made in this book are disputed by Judith Drake-Brockman, daughter of Howden Drake-Brockman. Judith's version of events is detailed in her book "Wongi Wongi." In 2004, she requested that Morgan undergo a DNA test to prove her claims that Howden fathered Morgan's Aboriginal grandmother Daisy, then committed incest with Daisy and fathered Gladys - Sally Morgan's mother.
Sally Morgan's second book, Wanamurraganya, was a biography of her grandfather. She has also collaborated with artist and illustrator Bronwyn Bancroft on children's books, including Dan's Grandpa (1996).
Morgan is the director at the Centre for Indigenous History and the Arts at the University of Western Australia. She has received several awards: My Place won the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission humanitarian award in 1987, the Western Australia Week literary award for non-fiction in 1988, and the 1990 Order of Australia Book Prize. In 1993, international art historians selected Morgan's print Outback, as one of 30 paintings and sculptures for reproduction on a stamp, celebrating the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Sally's story (Narkaling productions, 1995) edited by Barbara Ker Wilson
My Place (Fremantle: Fremantle Arts Centre Press. 1999 - first published 1987) ISBN 1863682783
Wanamurraganya, the story of Jack McPhee (Narkaling Productions, 1990)
Mother and daughter: The story of Daisy and Glady's Corunna (Narkaling Productions, 1994) Edited by Barbara Ker Wilson
Arthur Corunna's story (Narkaling Productions, 1995) edited by Barbara Ker Wilson
Children's Books
Little piggies (Fremantle Arts Centre Press, 1991) with Paul Morgan
The flying emu and other Australian stories (Viking, 1992)
Hurry up, Oscar! (Puffin Books, 1993) illustrated by Bettina Guthridge
Pet problem (Fremantle Arts Centre Press, 1994)
Dan's grandpa (Sandcastle, 1996) illustrated by Bronwyn Bancroft
In your dreams (Sandcastle Books, 1997) illustrated by Bronwyn Bancroft
Just a little brown dog (Fremantle Arts Centre Press, 1997) illustrated by Bronwyn Bancroft
Plays
Cruel wild woman and David Milroy (Yirra Yaakin Noongar Theatre, 1999) performed in the 1999 Festival of Perth season.
Edited
Gnyung Waart Kooling Kulark (released as Going Home) (Centre for Indigenous History & the Arts, School of Idigenous Studies, University of Western Australia, 2003) co-edited with Jill Milroy and Tjalaminu Mia.
Echoes of the past : Sister Kate's home revisited (Centre for Indigenous History and the Arts 2002) with Tjalaminu Mia, photography by Victor France
