Sir Doug and Lady Gladys Nicholls had a powerful partnership. 

They grew up together at Cummeragunja Mission on the Murray River. 

Doug was a Yorta Yorta man who played AFL at the highest level for ten years, playing for both Northcote and Fitzroy.  Though he experienced racism, he was a popular player and today the indigenous round of the AFL is named after him.  

Together with his wife Gladys, they campaigned for reconciliation, pastored a church and provided practical help to indigenous people in the Fitzroy area. They had an unusual unity of purpose with their shared experiences, vision and faith. 

Pastor Sir Doug Nicholls was the first indigenous Australian to be knighted and  remains the only indigenous Australian to hold vice-regal office, when he was Governor of South Australia. 

Further information: 

Mavis Thorpe Clark, Pastor Doug: The Story of Sir Douglas Nicholls, Aboriginal Leader, Lansdowne Press, Melbourne, 1972. 

First People Relations 

National Museum Australia  

Australian Dictionary of Biography  

Australian Football  

For a look at what life was like at Cummeragunja Mission check out Cummeragunja School 

You can find Dr Paul Roe online at theoutbackhistorian.com.au and Katrina Roe at katrinaroe.com 

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