Uncle Johnny Lovett is a respected Gunditjmara / Boandik Elder, well-known singer-songwriter, and country and western star. Johnny has been actively involved in the community and has advocated for native title rights as well as recognition and compensation for his father and uncles as Aboriginal soldiers who served in World War I and World War II.

 

Johnny was born in 1947 in Hamilton, Victoria. He is a proud father, grandfather and great grandfather. Johnny attended Heywood Primary and Heywood Secondary College and grew up in the Hamilton and Heywood area. He was the only Aboriginal student at both schools. Growing up Johnny was a talented sportsman, gifted boxer and musician.

 

Most notably, Johnny wrote the song ‘Maralinga’ in response to the Australian Government providing a permanent test site at Maralinga for British nuclear testing in the 1950s and early 1960s.