Dexter Daniels (c. 1936–1999)
This article was published:
- in the Biographical Register of the Australian Labour Movement, 1788-1975
- online in 2025
Dexter Daniels, also known as Nubuluna (c.1936-1999) trade union official and political activist
Birth: about 1936 at Roper River, Northern Territory, language group: Mara; clan: Numumurdirdi, son of Jangridpa (known as Dan) and Ukamangara (known as Debra). Marriage: 1962 to Ruth Wurramara (Wardunggu) a trainee nurse from Bickerton Island. They had one daughter. Death: 24 December 1999 at Katherine, northern Territory.
- Educated at CME Mission, Roper River, Northern Territory. Was employed on cattle stations before going to Darwin.
- Worked at Darwin Hospital and then as Aboriginal organiser for North Australian Workers’ Union. Active in Wave Hill dispute in 1967.
- Distinguished advocate of rights of Aboriginal workers, promoting equal pay case in labour movement circles and the Arbitration Commission.
Sources
Meat Employees’ Journal, June-July 1965.
This person appears as a part of the Indigenous Australian Dictionary of Biography. [View Article]
Additional Resources and Scholarship
- Trove search
- Wave Hill walk-off, Tribune (Sydney), 31 August 1966, p 1
- imprisonment, Canberra Times, 7 December 1967, p 3
- release from prison, Canberra Times, 11 April 1968, p 3
- travels to Bulgaria, Tribune (Sydney), 26 June 1968, p 4
Related Entries in NCB Sites
- Daniels, Dexter
- Cook, Sydney James (friend)
- Lupnagiari (colleague)
- Roberts, Philip (colleague)
- Hardy, Frank (collaborator)
- Lingiari, Vincent (collaborator)
Citation details
Julie T. Wells, 'Daniels, Dexter (c. 1936–1999)', People Australia, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, https://peopleaustralia.anu.edu.au/biography/daniels-dexter-30057/text44394, accessed 22 January 2026.
Dexter Daniels, 1970
Northern Territory Government, 10070/4554
Life Summary [details]
Alternative Names
- Nubuluna
Birth
c.
1936
Arnhem Land,
Northern Territory,
Australia
Death
24 December,
1999
(aged ~ 63)
Katherine,
Northern Territory,
Australia
Cause of Death
Cultural Heritage
Includes subject's nationality; their parents' nationality; the countries in which they spent a significant part of their childhood, and their self-identity.