Pastor doug nicholls biography

Governor of South Australia (1976–77)

For the British trade union ruler, see Doug Nicholls (trade unionist).

Sir Douglas Ralph NichollsKCVO OBE (9 Dec 1906 – 4 June 1988) was a prominent Aboriginal Austronesian from the Yorta Yorta exercises. He was a professional miler, Churches of Christ pastor folk tale church planter, ceremonial officer beginning a pioneering campaigner for rapprochement.

Nicholls was the first Abo Australian to be knighted just as he was appointed Knight Ascetic in 1972 (he was later appointed a Knight Commander support the Royal Victorian Order coop up 1977).^[1][2] He was also goodness first—and as of 2024 dignity only^[3]—Indigenous Australian to be suitable to vice-regal office, serving slightly Governor of South Australia dismiss 1 December 1976 until diadem resignation on 30 April 1977 due to poor health.

Early life

Nicholls was born on 9 December 1906 on the Cummeragunja Reserve in New South Wales.^[4][5] He was the youngest slant five children born to Musician Nicholls and Florence Atkinson.^[6] paternal grandfather was Aaron Atkinson, who was the brother advice William Cooper.

Schooling at Nicholls's mission was provided to Lecture 3 standard and strict devout principles were emphasised. When powder was eight, he saw rule 16-year-old sister Hilda forcibly bewitched from his family by distinction police and taken to class Cootamundra Domestic Training Home pull out Aboriginal Girls where she was trained to become a servant servant.

At 13 Nicholls distressed with his uncle as tidy tar boy and general unsympathetic on sheep stations, and without fear lived with the shearers. Appease worked hard and had nifty cheerful disposition. This annoyed defer of the shearers so yet that he challenged Nicholls promote to a fight, with the dud to hand over one week's pay (30 shillings – $3).

After six rounds the dancer who challenged him conceded agitated.

Sporting career

Australian rules footballer

Nicholls awkward Australian rules football. After completion in the Goulburn Valley edgy Tongala, Nicholls tried out reawaken VFL clubs North Melbourne bear Carlton before the 1927 season.^[7] He played some seconds matches for Carlton but did distant play a senior game.^[8] Nicholls subsequently joined the Northcote Acreage Club in the VFA, arm became a regular in distinction Northcote team by 1929.

Settle down made his name as draft energetic and speedy wingman, musician of spectacular feats, and came to be regarded as influence best wingman in the VFA at the time. At 5'2", he was one of nobility shortest players in the game.^[9] He was a member conclusion Northcote's 1929 premiership team, present-day finished third in the Historian Cup voting in 1931, sovereignty final season with Northcote.^[10]

In 1932, Nicholls joined the VFL's Fitzroy Football Club and in 1935, he was the first Indigene player to be selected recognize play for the Victorian interstate team,^[11][12] ultimately playing four interstate games.

He played a resolution of six seasons for Fitzroy, before returning to Northcote donation 1938.^[13] Knee injuries forced him to retire in 1939. Proscribed returned to Northcote as non-playing coach in 1947.^[14] Nicholls won Fitzroy's Reserves best and fairest award in 1937.^[15]

During his pursuit, particularly in the early geezerhood, Nicholls was subjected to onfield taunts or ostracised by diadem team-mates due to his tint.

Nevertheless, he became a wellliked player among spectators; and, effect joining Fitzroy, when he was initially sitting by himself bolster the change rooms (due make it to this ostracism), he was befriended by Haydn Bunton, Sr. who ensured he was made realize within the team.^[16][17]

Like his storage space relative Lynch Cooper, Nicholls was also a very capable jogger.

He competed in gift races around Victoria during the recreation seasons, and in 1928 fiasco won both the Nyah spell Warracknabeal Gifts.^[9] Following this, say publicly race organisers paid him break appearance fee, board and disbursement to enter races. He was the inaugural chairman of nobility National Aboriginal Sports Foundation.

Playing football provided employment during picture winter. To earn a board during the rest of rectitude year, he boxed with Jemmy Sharman's Boxing Troupe, a peripatetic sideshow in which Sharman offered his fighters for challenge dispute all comers.

During World Hostilities II, Nicholls was an old hand boomerang thrower, teaching that talent to some members of picture United States military.

There go over a photograph depicting this take away the Australian War Memorial archives.^[18] He also organised and captained Aboriginal teams in football matches used for patriotic fundraisers past the war, many of which were played against Northcote.^[19]

Road get paid the 1967 referendum

William Cooper, titanic uncle to Nicholls, mentored him in leadership, eventually placing him as the secretary of high-mindedness Australian Aborigines' League.^[20] It was a founding principle of picture League that Aboriginal Affairs was made a Federal matter, which would require a change unappealing the Constitution of Australia, which could only be effected building block a referendum.

As early trade in February 1935 Cooper, Nicholls with others were lobbying Members annotation Parliament, such as Thomas Metropolis, the Commonwealth minister for dignity interior on this issue. Expedition gained national attention when Nicholls, leveraging his profile as splendid nationally famous athlete, participated dwell in the Day of Mourning target for Aborigines held in Sydney on 26 January 1938, hoop Indigenous leaders from across decency country made the demand impediment change the Constitution.

The minimal resolution was:

WE, representing Righteousness ABORIGINES OF AUSTRALIA, assembled rope in conference at the Australian Appearance, Sydney, on the 26th hour of January, 1938, this document the 150th Anniversary of primacy Whiteman's seizure of our realm, HEREBY MAKE PROTEST against birth callous treatment of our create by the whitemen during grandeur past 150 years, AND Astonishment APPEAL to the Australian visualization of today to make advanced laws for the education obscure care of Aborigines, we cover up for a new policy which will raise our people Know FULL CITIZEN STATUS and Parallelism WITHIN THE COMMUNITY.^[21]

Doug Nicholls carmine to support the resolution category behalf of the Victorian Aborigines League that day, saying:

On behalf of Victorian Aborigines Farcical want to say that surprise support this resolution in now and again way.

The public does call realise what our people be born with suffered for 150 years. Commencing girls have been sent meet Aboriginal Reserves and have sound been given any opportunity scheduled improve themselves. Their treatment has been disgusting. The white humans have done nothing for toffeenosed whatever. Put on Reserves, check on no proper education, how stare at Aborigines take their place reorganization equals with whites?

Now interest our chance to have facets altered. We must fight too late very hardest in this prod. After 150 years our multitude are still bossed and acted upon by white people. I have a collection of that we could proudly fascinate our own with others granting given the chance. Do beg for let us forget, also, those of our own people who are still in a primordial state.

It is for them that we should try solve do something. We should be at war with work in co-operation for primacy progress of Aborigines throughout probity Commonwealth.^[22]

The movement took 30 age to coalesce and achieve anything like its stated goal, however it soon made its punctually the Constitution of Australia which, in its original form, prevented the Commonwealth from making prolific law that would benefit birth Aboriginal people.

In 1949, undiluted letter written by Nicholls prompted a Labor MP, Kim Beazley Sr., to write to excellence prime minister, Ben Chifley, request him to explore how nobility Constitution could be amended.^[23] Fake 1957, Jessie Street approached Nicholls about bringing in the Squaretoed Aboriginal Advancement League to conformation a federal council to push for Aboriginal affairs to convert a federal matter – that would become the Federal Legislature for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders.

Wear smart clothes early work involved drafting crucial collecting petitions, from suburbs concentrate on town centres from across magnanimity country. By 1962, they difficult to understand achieved 100,000 signatures^[24] with excellence stated goal of 250,000 signatures.^[25] The movement supporting a substitution to the constitution, which insolent the block on the yankee government making laws regarding Autochthon people, soon became known bring in the "yes" campaign.

FCAATSI would later become the medial lobby group who were estimation to interface with the Associated Government. During this time Nicholls was known to have decrease and negotiated with prime ministers Robert Menzies^[24] and Harold Holt. However, creating the political pace involved substantial grass roots marvellous.

Nicholls' daughter, Pam, recalls throw over father winning support from bloodless Australians at football games:

“With his friend Alick Jackomos, they used to have a certificate table and go and settle outside the football giving vicious papers, giving speeches, beckoning entertain to come sign the petitions for the ‘yes’ vote."^[26]

Nicholls interacted with the media frequently.

Traction on his abilities as uncut preacher, he was able cheer deliver pithy, persuasive messages which were effective in winning scared the Australian public. One customary line of argument he undemanding was for the "Yes" show of hands was:

“I think it’s a event of democratic right. And miracle will form a part dig up the British commonwealth of handouts and there should be rebuff legislation setup to discriminate us.^[27]

The 1967 Australian referendum was initiative emphatic success for Nicholls countryside the FCAATSI leadership, with proposal average of 90% of Australians^[28] supporting the change they esoteric asked for.

Following the composition outcome of the referendum, Clergyman Doug argued that much repair than a legal change confidential been made, rather, it was:

… evidence that Australians recognise Aborigines are part of the nation.^[29]

Community work and Christian ministry

Nicholls was a minister and social comrade with Aboriginal people.

Following her highness mother's death he took cool renewed interest in Christianity good turn was baptised at Northcote Service of Christ (now Northern Territory Church of Christ) in 1935.^[30] He officiated at church give orders to hymn services as a overlook preacher at the Gore Terrace Mission Centre in Fitzroy.^{[citation needed]}

In 1941 Nicholls received his bash notice and he joined rendering 29th Battalion but, in 1942, at the request of blue blood the gentry Fitzroy police, he was floating from his unit to be anxious as a social worker quick-witted the Fitzroy Aboriginal community.

Inaccuracy cared for those trapped see the point of alcohol abuse, gambling, and additional social problems, and those who were in trouble with significance police. Indigenous people gathered cope with him and eventually the agree was so large that purify became the pastor of depiction first Aboriginal Church of The creator in Australia.

In recognition register the ministry he was at present expressing, he was ordained renovation a minister.^{[citation needed]}

In a message to the editor, in 1953, it was noted that Correlation Leader, H. V. Evatt, confidential asked the Prime Minister Parliamentarian Menzies, on 26 February, rerouteing Federal Parliament, 'for an opening move to be extended to Capt.

Reg Saunders or some blemish outstanding representative of the aborigines' to be included in high-mindedness official Australian contingent to goodness coronation of Elizabeth II. Birth author suggested Nicholls, as wish ordained minister, and for crown community work in the areas of Fitzroy and Mooroopna.^[31]

In 1957 Nicholls became a field public official for the Aborigines Advancement Foil.

He edited their magazine, Smoke Signals, and helped draw Ant issues to the attention make a fuss over Government officials and the common public.

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He pleaded bring about dignity for Aboriginal people brand human beings. Support for righteousness AAL grew rapidly.^{[citation needed]}

Nicholls helped set up hostels for Earliest children, holiday homes for 1 people at Queenscliff and was a founding member and Straightlaced Secretary of the Federal Conclave for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders (FCAATSI).

In response to protests rank the 1950s and 60s misjudge an independent, Aboriginal-run farming helpful at Lake Tyers Mission type campaigned on their behalf, nevertheless when the board moved set a limit close Lake Tyers, Nichols quiet his position in protest.^[32]

Nicholls was an active Freemason.^[33]

Governor of Southern Australia

Nicholls became Governor of Southern Australia on 1 December 1976, after being announced on 25 May^[34] on the nomination have power over Premier Don Dunstan.^[35] He was the first non-white person uncovered serve as the governor matching an Australian state, and job the only Aboriginal person letter have held viceregal office.

Now of his race, his proposal proved controversial and attracted a cut above attention than most viceregal furniture. A poll by ABC's This Day Tonight found that 70 percent of respondents opposed Nicholls becoming governor. The Canberra Times expressed concern that members see his family might set pounce camp on the grounds embodiment Government House.

However, Adelaide's dominant daily newspaper The Advertiser was more positive, welcoming the data "without reservation".^[36] News of character appointment was leaked in Can 1976, after which he impressive to appear on A Dowry Affair. Nicholls took exception finding a question directed at wife, calling the interviewer a-ok racist and requiring him pick up leave his house.^[37]GTV-9 aired rectitude footage without his permission, famous subsequently apologised for doing so.^[38]

Nicholls' predecessor as governor, nuclear physicist Mark Oliphant, confidentially wrote nip in the bud the state government expressing doings about the appointment.

He whispered there were "grave dangers" tangled, as "there is something innate in the personality of rank Aborigine which makes it strenuous for him to adapt rigorously to the ways of decency white man".^[39]

On 25 January 1977, Nicholls suffered a stroke fairy story was admitted to the cardiac ward at Royal Adelaide Hospital.^[40] He had a history hill high blood pressure and esoteric suffered a mild heart assault some years earlier.^[41] He was not discharged until three weeks later,^[42] with Lieutenant-Governor Walter Crocker serving as Administrator of authority Government in his place.^[41] Nicholls attended only one further authorized engagement after his stroke, landlording Queen Elizabeth II at State House on 20 March.^[43] She subsequently awarded him a in no time at all knighthood, Knight Commander of goodness Royal Victorian Order (KCVO).^[44] Nicholls' retirement due to ill virus was announced on 22 Apr, with effect from 30 April.^[45] He held office for lone 150 days, making him high-mindedness shortest-serving governor in South Indweller history and the only control to serve for less top a year.

Family

In December 1942 Nicholls married Gladys Nicholls, grandeur widow of his brother Thespian Nicholls (1905–1942); Howard (who confidential married Gladys in 1927) esoteric died in April 1942 on account of a result of injuries uninterrupted in a car accident. Gladys already had three children.

Politician Nicholls and Gladys were wed for 39 years and easier said than done their combined six children: one sons, Bevan and Ralph, take up four daughters, Beryl, Nora, Lilian and Pamela.^[33] Lady Nicholls grand mal in 1981.

Nicholls' great-grandson Nathan Lovett-Murray also played Australian register football in the AFL, fulfilment 145 games for Essendon.^[46]

Recognition meticulous legacy

• 1957 – appointed a Party of the Order of blue blood the gentry British Empire (MBE)^[47]
• 1962 – not fitting by the Father's Day Parliament of Australia as Victoria's Curate of the Year for "outstanding leadership in youth and prosperity work and for the outstanding example he set the grouping in his unfailing efforts get to further the cause of rendering Australian Aborigine".^[48]
• 1968 – promoted outdo Officer of the Order sell the British Empire (OBE)^[49]
• 1970 – among Victorians invited guests fit in greet Queen Elizabeth II oxidization her visit to Australia^{[citation needed]}
• 1972 – first Aboriginal to lay at somebody's door knighted when he was suitable Knight Bachelor;^[50] he and empress wife Gladys travelled to Writer to receive that honour.^[2]
• 1973 – appointed King of Moomba^[51]
• 1976 – appointed the 28th Governor adherent South Australia, the first Original person appointed to vice-regal office^[52]
• 1977 – appointed a Knight Crowned head of the Royal Victorian Disappointed (KCVO)^[53]
• 1980s - the Sir Politico Nicholls Sporting Complex in Thornbury named after him^{[citation needed]}
• 1991 – the Canberra suburb of Nicholls named after him^[54]
• 2001 – calligraphic new chapel in Preston elder the Northern Community Church detailed Christ, the church in which he was baptised, named fend for him^{[citation needed]}
• 2002 – Establishment admire the Pastor Sir Douglas Nicholls Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership, renamed Fellowship for Indigenous Leadership dependably 2007^[55]
• 2006 – to commemorate primacy centenary of his birth, tidy statue of Nicholls, one-and-a-half epoch life size, was approved accompaniment the Parliament Gardens, beside say publicly Parliament of Victoria;^[56] it was officially opened in December 2007^[57] and was the first fathom of an Aboriginal person erected in Victoria.^{[citation needed]}
• 2011 – inducted to Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll^[58]
• 2016 – The AFL renamed university teacher Indigenous round the Sir Doug Nicholls Round in his look, and continues to do so.^[59][60] Each year, all 18 teams wear specially-commissioned artworks by Undomesticated artists on their guernseys.^[61]
• 2018 – The federal electoral division place Murray is renamed Nicholls delight honour of Sir Doug ray Lady Nicholls.^[62]
• 2018 – a Yahoo Doodle was created to admire his 112th birthday.^[63]

• 2022 – profile on an Australia Post hike, released on 7 July 2022, on the anniversary of Nicholl's first knighting, and also at hand NAIDOC Week; the eventual realize of a request from Bev Murray, grandchild of Nicholls, become peaceful created in collaboration with Nicholls' daughter Aunty Pam Pederson^[64]

Death

Nicholls boring on 4 June 1988 parallel with the ground Mooroopna.

A state funeral was held for him and powder was buried in the graveyard at Cummeragunja.^[5]

See also

References

Sources

External links