SAM Isaacs is a South West Aboriginal hero who in 1876 helped rescue the survivors of a shipwreck at Redgate Beach along with 16 year old Grace Bussell.
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The story made headlines around the world when on the morning of December 1, Sam Isaacs saw the shipwrecked SS Georgette and its terrified passengers in dangerous waters.
According to insidehistory.com, Mr Isaacs rode his horse to the Bussell family home at Wallcliffe House and told them about what he saw.
Ms Bussell grabbed her horse and together with Mr Isaacs rode down the steep cliffs at speed and into the water to rescue the terrified passengers from the sinking ship and treacherous sea.
Over four hours the pair saved passengers pulling them to the safety of the beach on their horses until all the survivors were safe.
For their bravery Ms Bussell was awarded a silver medal and gold watch from the Royal Humane Society and Mr Isaacs received a bronze medal and 100 acres of land.
Busselton artist Jack Bromell has painted a portrait of Mr Isaacs on the wall near the Chapel Cafe on Prince Street in Busselton.
Mr Bromell said it was an important story to tell because there was not anything significant in Busselton that commemorated its indigenous history.
With the help of the Dunsborough and Districts Progress Association StART Project president Jacquie Happ, Mr Bromell spoke to local elders who talked mostly about a man named Sam Isaacs.
The elders told Mr Bromell about the shipwreck off Redgate and how Mr Isaacs went back to the settlement were the Bussell’s lived.
“One of the daughter’s Grace got horses, saddles and ropes and they rode back there, they took the horses out into the water and started ferrying people back, some people were holding onto the horse as it was swimming,” he said.
“Other stories said Mr Isaacs tied a rope to the shipwreck and swam his horse back to shore so people could pull themselves in.”
Mr Bromell said he wanted to paint the picture of Mr Isaacs because during that time he did not receive as much recognition for his actions as Ms Bussell.
“I think Mr Isaacs was pushed to the side a little bit his story was not shared and to portray a character like him is kind of reconnecting,” he said.
“I am taking an opportunity to paint something which is linked to the history and indigenous history of Busselton it is something important and it is kind of silly we do not have anything yet.”
With the blessing of elders in the area Mr Bromell was given a photograph of Mr Isaacs which he used to paint the portrait, the photograph was taken shortly before Mr Isaacs passed away.
Ms Happ said she was glad when Mr Bromell approached her about doing an aboriginal piece because it was timely we began to recognise our local Aboriginal history.
“This is a really positive story and I hope it helps young Aboriginal people be proud of their heritage,” she said.
“As it turns out we will have another Aboriginal themed artwork across the road as part of the StART project.”
