James Kunkas Little

James Kunkus Little (1911–1972) was a Yuin entertainer, musician, and community figure. Born on 4 August 1911 at Wallaga Lake Aboriginal Station he was the second son of Yuin woman Eliza Little (née Penrith) and John Edward Little. His family, and his wider Yuin community, knew him by his traditional name: Kunkus.

From the 1930s, Kunkus was a star member of the Wallaga Lake Gumleaf Band. With his older brother Jack and other community musicians, he performed at football dances, country shows, sport picnics even on the backs of trucks bringing smiles and joy with gumleaf music, accordion, fiddle, dancing and song. Kunkus was known as one of their flashiest performers: energetic, theatrical, and deeply engaging with the crowd.

In 1935 the band travelled to Cummeragunja Reserve, where Kunkus met and later married Frances “Sissy” McGee. The couple’s lives, like many Aboriginal families at the time, were shaped by hardship, poor living conditions, oppressive institutional control, and forced labour on farms and timber mills.

He worked as a farm labourer, timber-miller, dairy-worker and bean-picker to support his family. He encouraged his children especially his son Jimmy Little to embrace music. Kunkus helped write Jimmy’s song, “Give the Coloured Lad a Chance,” which became one of the first Aboriginal authored protest songs recorded and aired on Sydney radio.

In 1961, he performed his beloved gumleaf at a public Aboriginal observance event in Sydney’s Martin Place.
Kunkus died in Bega on 28 March 1972. His legacy lives on through his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who have continued his musical and cultural lineage, many achieving national and international recognition.