This story contains the image of an Aboriginal person who has passed.
Hundreds of people packed Newcastle Stadium to celebrate the life of Uncle Bill Smith at his funeral on Saturday.
The Aboriginal Elder and leader, with connections to the Anaiwan, Wonnarua and Kamilaroi Nations was remembered for a range of accomplishments, but to his family, he was so much more.
“If you ask any of his grandchildren, he was our protector, saviour, healer... he’ll always be our hero,” said grandson and NRL player Will Smith.
“We all know he loved to tell a yarn… Listening to him talk about our culture, our family, where we come from is one of the greatest gifts he gave us.”
Aside from his ability to strengthen relationships across cultures, Mr Smith became known as a trailblazer for First Nations communities.
Will Smith speaking at Uncle Bill Smith's funeral on Saturday. Source: NITV News
He was instrumental in establishing the Newcastle All Blacks, the National Aboriginal Rugby League Association and the Awabakal Newcastle Aboriginal Co-operative.
In the 1970s, his contracting business was at one time the largest employer of Aboriginal people in the country, before he became a political advisor to Prime Ministers Malcolm Fraser, Gough Whitlam and Paul Keating.
Mr Smith's daughter Carol Widders nee Smith performed the Welcome to Country at the ceremony, an occasion usually reserved for Uncle Bill.
"Who could actually stand up here and be privileged enough to do the honour to the country for my father? There's no one that could do that but my father himself," she said.
Other speakers at the service included Mr Smith's children and other family members, Saretta Fielding, Latana Mundine and Malcolm Smith Jnr. The ceremony also heard from prominent figures such as Michael Anderson and a number of local MPs.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said Mr Smith leaves behind a legacy of uniting people with his words.
“We are all one and we need to share and walk together… Famous, these words that will live with me forever,” Ms Fraser said.
Awabakal Medical Service CEO Raylene Gordon also paid tribute.
Uncle Bill and Aunty Gloria Smith (centre) with chidlren Malcolm, Cheryl, Carol and Edward. Source: Supplied: Smith family
“I acknowledge Uncle Bill, professionally, for his leadership, his risk-taking and his get knocked down, get back up attitude,” she said.
“I acknowledge him, personally, for the legacy he left for his family to carry on. They are a family that will always stick together.”
Mr Smith’s family includes his six children, 18 grandchildren and 50 great-grandchildren.
“To cowboy pop, the creator, our protector, the glue that holds this family together… thank you for being someone to look up to,” Mr Smith’s great-grandson Levi Briggs said.
“You never let us see the bad side of things and encouraged us to do our best in life. We learnt so much from you.”
With tears in his eyes, Mr Briggs read an extract from an audio clip he kept of his grandfather encouraging him to follow his dreams.
“Find that mountain, climb it and follow the eagle to the top… Don’t let anyone pull you back or stop you.”
Uncle Bill Smith's great-grandson Levi Briggs speaking at his funeral alongside his daughter Carol Widders nee Smith.
“Speak to people how you want to be spoken to and treat others that way.”
“Stand as one united and join hands and walk together on this land.”
Following the service, Mr Smith's family took him to Toronto West Cemetery, to perform Ceremony and place flowers and the Aboriginal flag.
Mr Smith passed away from pancreatic cancer on 29 August. He was 83.
