On May 13, 1976, Sir Douglas Nicholls was appointed Governor of South Australia, making history as the first Aboriginal person to hold a vice-regal office in Australia. A respected pastor, activist, and former professional athlete, Nicholls had long advocated for Aboriginal rights, including citizenship and land recognition. At age 69, his appointment was a symbolic breakthrough in a country still grappling with its colonial legacy. Knighted in 1972, Nicholls’ legacy stretches across sport, faith, and politics — and his service as governor represented a powerful acknowledgment of Aboriginal leadership in public life.
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