Sonny Simms was elected to ATSIC and the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, where he has been a strong advocate for culture and human rights. He was an excellent rugby league player and bantamweight boxer who worked in Roy Bell’s travelling boxing troupe. Sonny is now involved in sharing culture with younger people.

Interviews with Sonny’s mother and other relatives can be found here.

Sonny Simms – Elder and Cultural Mentor

A La Perouse Family

Arnold Bell and his life as a travelling showman – ABC News

Listen to Sonny’s Interview

Part 1:

Part 2:

Sonny’s audio interview can be downloaded here: Part One and Part Two.

Be a digital volunteer and help edit the computer generated transcript of Sonny’s interview using Amplify:

Sonny’s interview transcript Part 1

Sonny’s interview transcript Part 2

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Sonny’s Photo Album

La Perouse All Blacks – c.1940s.

John Henry and Maude Simms at La Perouse – 1920s.

Joseph Simms

Roseby Park School, Orient Point.

Sonny Simms and family members

Pupils of Roseby Park School – Sonny’s mother Barbara top row, 2nd person.

Barbara Timbery – Sonny’s Mother.

View of Aboriginal Reserve at La Perouse in its original position, c.1920s.

Simms family home (on right) from where John and Maude sold artefacts. The little girl is Marie Simms (1926-1991).

Christina Dixon – Sonny’s grandmother.

La Perouse Rugby League Club, 1932.

Lynette Simms

Djiriba Waagura – Matthew Simms’ Business

Crookhaven Magpies Rugby League Club, 1978 – Sonny Simms top right

Matthew Simms – Sonny’s son.

Bell’s Boxing Tent

Bomaderry Children’s Home

Henry “Sonny” Simms

Wes Simms with French officers holding boomerangs

Wes Simms with five men, three with boomerangs

Jack and Wes Simms showing a boomerang to a naval officer

Jack Simms making boomerangs

Children at Bomaderry Children’s Home

Children at Bomaderry Children’s Home

Children at Bomaderry Children’s Home