Council has commissioned well known artist Adnate to paint a mural dedicated to both the late William Cooper and the late Pastor Sir Douglas Nicholls KCVO OBE MBE. Adnate, who is widely recognised for his paintings in Sheep Hills, Benalla, Melbourne and throughout the world, will commence the mural on 23 March and have it completed later this month. Adnate specialises in working closely with local Aboriginal communities and has a passion for painting portraits that have a deep connection to local cultures and communities.

Both William Cooper and Sir Douglas Nicholls were chosen as part of the consultation process to recognise the local Aboriginal people, and both have been approved to feature in a mural by both the Rumbalara Elders Committee and also the Yorta Yorta Elders Committee. The families of both William Cooper and Sir Douglas Nicholls have also been consulted by Council regarding the mural and have confirmed that they are honoured to have both individuals recognised as part of the project.

Eldest daughter of Pastor Sir Douglas Nicholls, Aunty Pam Pederson said that her father was a great man and stated that her favourite quote of the late Sir Douglas Nicholls was, “You can play a tune on black keys, you can play a tune on white keys, but both are needed for perfect harmony.”

Nephew of Sir Douglas Nicholls, Robert Nicholls advised Council that he was proud of his late Uncle and appreciated the opportunity to have him recognised as part of a mural alongside Sir Douglas Nicholls’ Great Uncle and ‘legend’ William Cooper.

Uncle Boydie (Alfred Turner), who has spent years working with the Jewish community, ensuring an enduring legacy of his grandfathers’ actions, was honoured to have his Grandfather William Cooper recognised as part of the mural. Uncle Boydie said, “I lived with him (Uncle William Cooper) for 10 years and this was while Grandfather was fighting for the rights of the Aboriginal people and also for the rights of the Jewish people.”

As part of this project, Council hopes to recognise additional local Aboriginal people and has confirmed that it will next dedicate a mural to two Aboriginal females selected by the Aboriginal Elders. The two Aboriginal females will be announced later in the year.

Acting CEO of Rumbalara Co-Op Lee Joachim said, “Both Uncle William Cooper and Sir Douglas Nicholls were incredible leaders and this is a great opportunity to honour them both and educate people regarding their significant contribution to not just the region but the whole of Australia.”

CEO of Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation, Damian Morgan-Bulled said, “Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation is excited about this project and the opportunity to firstly recognise two Yorta Yorta ancestors who have contributed great things to this country.”

Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Dinny Adem said that he saw this project as a great way of celebrating the Aboriginal people and looked forward to the project progressing in partnership with the local community.

The mural will be located on the northern end of the GV Water wall at the Fryers Street entrance to the Stewart Street carpark. Peter Quinn, Managing Director at Goulburn Valley Water said that GVW was very pleased to partner with the Aboriginal community and Council to make this mural project possible.

“It is great to publicly recognise two truly outstanding people for their contribution to the Aboriginal community and Australian society. The legacy of Sir Doug Nicholls is outstanding and I enjoyed hearing the stories of William Cooper directly from Uncle Boydie, his grandson. I hope this is the first instalment of a great celebration of the roles and contributions made by many of our Aboriginal community.”

Background

Pastor Sir Douglas Nicholls KCVO OBE MBE, who has an annual AFL round dedicated to him was born 9 December 1906 at the Cummeragunja Reserve and was a prominent Aboriginal from the Yorta Yorta people and is known to many as ‘Uncle Doug’. Sir Douglas Nicholls was the first Aboriginal person to be knighted and in 1976 was made Governor of South Australia. Earlier, during the commencement of his football career for Fitzroy, Sir Douglas Nicholls was subjected to on field taunts and ostracised by his team-mates due to his colour.

Sir Douglas Nicholls was at an early stage changing in a separate change room to his team mates until he was befriended by team mate Haydn Bunton who ensured Nicholls was made welcome within the Fitzroy Football Club team. Sir Douglas Nicholls, due to his skill, vision and lighting speed, became a popular player amongst the spectators and is now recognised as a football legend.

William Cooper, born on 18 December 1860 and known to many as Uncle William Cooper was an Aboriginal political activist and community leader. William Cooper who was a Yorta Yorta man, campaigned for Aboriginal rights, particularly land and is also recognised for protesting against the Nazi Government of Germany due to their poor treatment of the Jewish people.

William Cooper led a delegation to the German Consulate in Melbourne to deliver a petition which is recognised as the only petition against the Germans following Kristallnacht. On 6 December 2008, the 70th anniversary of the protest against Kristallnacht, William Cooper's grandson, Alfred "Boydie" Turner, also known as Uncle Boydie was presented with a certificate from the Israeli Ambassador stating that 70 Australian trees were to be planted in Israel in honour of William Cooper. 29 March 2017 will mark 75 years since William Cooper passed away in Mooroopna in 1941.