Australian superstars: from Ned Kelly to Skippy

Skippy: The crime-busting marsupial was watched by hundreds of millions around the world in the late 1960s and early 70s. She lived in Waratah Park, north of Sydney, and was the pet of the head ranger's son, Sonny (played by Garry Pankhurst). She keeps in touch with fans on Twitter
Photograph: BBC

Ned Kelly (1854/5-1880): The bushranger distinguished himself among Australia's rich criminal heritage with some talent for literature – his Jerilderie Letter contained flights of riotous invective and an epic capacity for theatrics. Since immortalised in great art, fine songs and terrible films
Photograph: Hulton Getty

John Simpson Kirkpatrick (1892-1915): The best known of Gallipoli veterans, and a personification of Australia's military tradition and reverence for the idea of mateship – he became legendary for transporting wounded soldiers under fire on his donkey. He died at Gallipoli, aged 23
Photograph: Public Domain

Phar Lap: Freakish thoroughbred who dominated the Australian turf during the late 20s and early 30s before dying in murky circumstances in America in 1932. The over-used epithet "big-hearted" was literally applicable: his was twice the size of that of a normal horse
Photograph: Fox Photos/Getty Images

Sir Donald Bradman (1908-2001): Peerless batsman, Australia's first global superstar. His Test average of 99.94 is unlikely ever to be approached, let alone beaten. Minus the decimal point, the hallowed number now serves as the post office box address of the national broadcaster, the ABC
Photograph: Rex Features

Errol Flynn (1909-1959): There have been many Australian screen idols since, but none have quite eclipsed the Tasmanian swashbuckler. His autobiography, My Wicked, Wicked Ways, is an unregenerate masterpiece, and the phrase "in like Flynn" remains in Australian colloquial lexicon as an expression of triumph
Photograph: Everett Collection/Rex Features

Fred Hollows (1929-93): Pioneer of the unusual occupation of crusading opthalmologist. New Zealand-born former communist who redeemed his disgust at the disparity between rich and poor by instituting eyecare programmes in the developing world. Gave the gift of sight to more than a million people
Photograph: Oliver Strewe/Corbis

Slim Dusty (1927-2003): Avuncular country singer, colossally successful at selling the romantic ideal of the Australian bush to the citizens of one of the most urbanised societies on Earth. It is statistically unlikely that any given Australian does not own at least one of his albums
Photograph: Redferns/Getty

Dame Edna Everage (age uncertain): Gladioli-brandishing grandmother of every faux chatshow host since, none of whom have been funnier. Hers was the only imperial honour ever conferred by the early 70s Labor government of Gough Whitlam
Photograph: Mark Allan/WireImage

Peter Garrett (1953-): Formerly singer of one of Australia's biggest rock exports, Midnight Oil. Now an MP and minister for the arts and the environment. Imagine Jim Kerr being appointed to the cabinet
Photograph: Andrez Liguz/AFP

Cathy Freeman (1973-): Her victory in the 400 metres at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney was both a splendid athletic accomplishment and, in the immediate aftermath, a graceful gesture of reconciliation – she ran her victory lap with the Australian and aboriginal flags clasped together
Photograph: Nick Wilson/Getty Images