Douglas Ralph NICHOLLS

NICHOLLS, DOUGLAS RALPH (b. Cumeroogunga, NSW, 9 Dec 1906; d. Mooroopna, Vic, 4 June 1988). Athlete, Churches of Christ pastor, state governor.

Douglas Nicholls' mother Florence, was brought up in the household of Thomas Shadrach 'Grandpa' James, a supporter of Daniel Matthews (q.v.) at Cumeroogunga station where Aborigines lived in safety and Christian fellowship. Doug Nicholls grew up in an environment where Sunday services were conducted by a Church of Christ lay preacher from Echuca.

He possessed superb athletic coordination. He won provincial professional footraces, he boxed for a living. Sport led him into wide public prominence. While a winger with Fitzroy (Australian Rules League), an operation on his knee brought his much-loved mother to Melbourne. During a Sunday evening stroll, they passed the Northcote Church of Christ. Florence said 'Let's go in'. The minister was the young William (Dick) Saunders. He recognised the famous footballer, and welcomed mother and son. Florence Nicholls died shortly after returning to the Reserve. Doug Nicholls had given no thought to religion since leaving Cumeroogunga at fourteen; now he was drawn back for comfort to that Northcote Church of Christ. A few weeks later he confessed Christ as Son of God and Saviour.

Dick Saunders offered to teach and coach him as a lay preacher. Nicholls studied hard to build on his grade three education. For the next four years, the two young men worked together. Nicholl's sincerity, fame as spokesman, quick wit, soon made him sought after as speaker to white groups.

In the period following Nicholls' departure, incompetent managers wrought disaster for Cumeroogunga. In 1939, many of the people fled into Victoria. They found their way to Fitzroy. On the declaration of World War Two Nicholls enlisted, though as an Aborigine he was exempt. He was withdrawn to work among his people in Fitzroy, and gathered them in with Bible and prayer meetings. In 1942, he applied to the Churches of Christ to rent their old Sunday school in Gore Street. The Church agreed, accepting him as pastor. It was to be the Aborigines' church for the next 27 years.

With the establishment of the Aborigines' Advancement League, Nicholls became its fulltime field officer. In 1957, he was appointed MBE; in 1962 was named Victoria's 'Father of the Year'; 1968 OBE. Knighted in 1972, his citation read: '... for distinguished services to the advancement of the Aboriginal people'. In 1976, he accepted the office of governor of SA as 'God's will', believing the honour would encourage his people to believe in themselves. Others were concerned that the SA Labor government, like others before it, was engaging in tokenism in calling on this generous but modestly-equipped man to fill the vice-regal post. Ill-health forced an early retirement (KCVO, 1977). In the ensuing years, though beset with physical difficulties, he maintained his public speaking. In 1984, at a World Convention of Churches of Christ in Jamaica, he was one of those selected members to be awarded a citation for outstanding service for Christ and the Church, for God and His people.

M T Clark, Pastor Doug (Melbourne, 1972)

MAVIS THORPE CLARK