‘Champions of Change’ denotes the people in our shared history who have led significant work in the fight for truth-telling, justice, and self-determination for First Peoples. It is vital that councils work to redress the lack of representation of First Peoples histories, cultures, and perspectives across their municipality. Councils can do this by acknowledging and promoting First Peoples who have led significant change in their municipality, both from local Traditional Owner Groups and Traditional Owners from across Victoria.
Colonisation caused the displacement and forced removal of many First Peoples from their Traditional Country. Therefore it is appropriate to acknowledge Champions of Change in both the areas they are from and the areas where they led significant change.
Greater Shepparton City Council revealed a permanent honour to a Champion of Change in 2018 with the unveiling of the Uncle William Cooper statue in Queens Gardens. William Cooper, an Aboriginal political activist and community leader was born on Yorta Yorta Country over 100 years ago. He led many campaigns for the rights of his people, and for the rights of others, including the establishment of NAIDOC Week, the Aboriginal Advancement League, and a Petition to the German Consulate at the persecution of Jews several weeks after Kristallnacht in Germany (6 December 1938). The statue and accompanying plaque in his honour celebrates his life, and acknowledges his lasting local, national, and international legacy. It demonstrates the pride and strength that we all share in acknowledging these Champions of Change.
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