In 1972, Sir Doug Nicholls became the first Aboriginal person to be knighted.
Fifty years later, the Yorta Yorta man has been honoured, with his portrait featured on Australia Posts' latest stamp.
The stamp was released on Wednesday and is a culmination of an initial request from Bev Murray, grandchild of Sir Doug Nicholls.
“My grandparents were incredible people, and I am proud to walk in their footprints and continue their great work in advancing the rights of our people and supporting the most vulnerable," she said.
"I am very grateful to Australia Post for remembering my grandparents’ incredible achievements. They are two amazing Elders who should never be forgotten.”
The stamp was created in collaboration with Sir Nicholls’ daughter Aunty Pam Pederson, who handed over many family photos for consideration.
“I sent them over a few different photos, and helped chose which one they used,” she said.
“The way it’s been created and presented has been so perfect.”
Whilst Aunty Pam was let in on the stamp creation process, much of the family was left in the dark.
“It’s been in the process for a while, but I forgot to tell my family!” Aunty Pam laughed.
“I told my husband, and he reminded me to tell my son. I told my niece the other day, Bev Murray. She was so excited. She was the one who started it all, she wrote to Australia Post some years ago.”
The stamp was debuted at a ceremony on Tuesday at the statue of Sir Doug Nicholls and Gladys Nicholls in Parliament Gardens, East Melbourne — in the midst of NAIDOC week.
“I feel so proud that this is happening for Dad, and for Mum too,” Aunty Pam told NITV News.
“If they were here today, they would think ‘Gosh! Look at this!”
“I think this is it now, for Dad, he has been a wonderful person, he achieved so much. Now to see this happen during NAIDOC, it is really special for him.”
At the ceremony, Aunty Pam was presented with a large framed stamp, something she is very smitten with.
“It’s so beautiful. I already have a spot picked out for it, I’m going to put it up on the wall in my lounge room,” she said.
Australia Post’s decision to release the stamp on both the anniversary of Sir Doug Nicholl’s first knighting and NAIDOC week was at the request of Aunty Pam.
Australia Post Group Philatelic Manager Michael Zsolt said it was a proud day for the organisation.
“NAIDOC week provides an opportunity for us to learn about First Nations cultures and histories. The release of this important stamp celebrates Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls and highlights his significant contribution to society,” he said.
Aunty Pam alongside a statue of her mother and father, with the newly released stamp at her feet. Source: Australia Post/Michael Zappone
His life and legacy
A footballer, pastor, Aboriginal rights campaigner, knight and father, Sir Nicholls was born in 1906 at Cummeragunja Aboriginal Mission on banks of the Murray River.
He had his football debut with Fitzroy Football Club, becoming the only Aboriginal person in the Victorian Football League at the time. He played in 54 games for the team until 1937 but gave it up due to a problematic knee.
In 1945, he was ordained as a preacher and became the inaugural pastor of the first Aboriginal Church of Christ in the country, at Fitzroy’s Gore Street Mission.
A staunch advocate for his people, Sir Nicholls and his wife, Gladys, worked with young Aboriginal people moving into Melbourne. They established the Gladys Nicholls Hostel and the Doug Nicholls Centre.
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He was also a lead campaigner in the 1967 Referendum, forming the Federal Council for Aboriginal Advancement in 1958.
In 1957, Sir Nicholls was awarded as a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE) and in 1968, he became the first Aboriginal person to receive a Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).
In 1972, he received a knighthood for his “distinguished services to the advancement of Aboriginal people”.
Four years later he became the Governor of South Australia and in 1977, he received a second knighthood by the Queen during a royal tour.
Sir Nicholls passed in Mooroopna, Victoria 1988. He was honoured with a state funeral. His name remains present today through the Sir Doug Nicholls Round in the AFL, the Sir Doug Nicholls Oval in Northcote and Canberra suburb, Nicholls.
