Frank Ivory was the first Indigenous Australian to play representative rugby union (for Queensland).Tatz & Tatz, p 18 This occurred in 1893.
The Frank Ivory Medal is named after him.
References Tatz, C. & Tatz, P. (1996) Black Diamonds, Allen & Unwin: Sydney. . Tatz, C. & Tatz, P. (2000) Black Gold, Aboriginal Studies Press: Canberra. .