Douglas Nicholls | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 28th Governor of South Australia | |
| In office 1 December 1976 – 30 April 1977 | |
| Monarch | Elizabeth II |
| Premier | Don Dunstan |
| Preceded by | Sir Mark Oliphant |
| Succeeded by | Sir Keith Seaman |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 9 December 1906 Cummeragunja Reserve, New South Wales |
| Died | 4 June 1988 (aged 81) Mooroopna, Victoria |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Spouse | Gladys Nicholls |
| Profession | Pastor, Footballer, Activist |
Sir Douglas Ralph Nicholls KCVO OBE (9 December 1906 – 4 June 1988) was a prominent Aboriginal Australian from the Yorta Yorta people. He was a professional athlete, Churches of Christ pastor and church planter, ceremonial officer and a pioneering campaigner for reconciliation.
Nicholls was the first Aboriginal Australian to be knighted when he was appointed Knight Bachelor in 1972 (he was subsequently appointed a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1977).[1][2] He was also the first—and as of 2024 the only[3]—Indigenous Australian to be appointed to vice-regal office, serving as Governor of South Australia from 1 December 1976 until his resignation on 30 April 1977 due to poor health.
- ^ "Biographies" (PDF).
- ^ "A Magnificent Life Journey". 27 May 2016.
- ^ Support grows for appointing Australia's first Indigenous Governor-General, Jarred Cross, National Indigenous Times, February 8, 2024