Rise Up - The Untold Hero

"You know, it's almost unbelievable his name is not known. He did so many amazing activities to try to stand up for his own mob, let alone whilst he had no rights of his own, standing up for other people" - Abe Schwarz – Jewish convenor

William Cooper in the early 1920’s, gathered many activists in hopes of boycotting Australia Day This was not widely appreciated but instead of giving up, the next year, William Cooper, lead thousands of Aboriginals and non-indigenous people through the streets of Sydney. This was the largest protest ever marched within the world. Every year from then on Aboriginal people and Australians celebrated Indigenous culture and its history.

William Cooper was a Yorta Yorta Man, born in 1861 near Echuca, Victoria. He spent his early life in forced labour until he learned how to read and write very well. After which he engaged and fought for the right of Aboriginal people on their own land.

- Yorta Yorta Country

Achievements:

In 1934, William Cooper wrote a petition addressed to King George V. The petition asked for Aboriginal representation within Parliament and was signed and supported by eighteen hundred people.

"To prevent the extinction of the Aboriginal Race and better conditions for all and grant us power to propose a member of parliament in the person of our own blood, or white man known to have studied our needs and to be in sympathy with our race to represent us in the Federal Parliament. AND YOUR PETITIONERS will ever pray"

– William Cooper’s Letter addressed to King George V.

For four years, William Cooper, travelled to missions and reserves speaking with elders and Aboriginal communities. After having over 1800 people sign the petition, the Australian Government refused to send the letter. It argued that no ‘good purpose’ would be served in doing so. Mr Cooper was told that the question of the welfare of Aboriginal people was receiving ‘sympathetic consideration’ by the Australian Government and States. It wasn't until 33 years after William Cooper’s policy was denied and ignored that an Aboriginal person was apart of parliament.

Uncle Boydie standing in front of William Cooper's mural.

After the 80-year struggle, William Cooper’s grandson, Alfred “Boydie” Turner, fought for over 10 years to have his Grandfather’s petition acknowledged by the sovereign of England. In 2014, it now sits with the original addressee’s Granddaughter, Queen Elizabeth II.

"It's something my grandfather fought for. It is so important that we have Aboriginal representatives in Parliament. We need to be represented by the first people of Australia."

– Uncle Boydie Turner

After Kristallnatch

'The night of Broken Glass' – Kristallnacht devastated many homes, families and innocent lives. It was a night in early November 1938 were a government sanctioned harassment, robbery, abuse and murder. This horrific night left synagogues, schools and houses destroyed; 30,000 men were arrested, and dozens lost their lives at the hands of the Nazi's.

The news of Kristallnacht travelled world-wide but not one country ceased diplomatic relations with Germany. No country or organisation stood up for the mistreatment and horrendous abuse that the Jewish community had faced. Except, William Cooper, a 77-year-old Aboriginal man, who couldn’t sit still while the same mistreatment his people had endured and continue to face was happening to the Jewish community in Europe.

Kristallnatch Night

"When he read what was happening in Germany, he said if someone didn't stand up to Hitler, there would be genocide." – Boydie Turner, grandson of William Cooper.

On December 6th he gathered many indigenous and non-indigenous people to walk 12km from Footscray to the German Consulate in Melbourne. They were not allowed inside the consulate and German officials refused to see them. The letter was passed onto a guard and was somehow lost. This was the first and only known public protest against the Nazi’s treatment of the Jewish community.

‘On behalf of the Aborigines of Australia, a strong protest at the cruel persecution of the Jewish people by the Nazi Government of Germany and asks that this persecution be brought to an end.’ – Writes the resolution in the letter by William Cooper.

Uncle Boydie hands his grandfather William Cooper's Kristallnacht protest letter to Dr Felix Klein of the German government.

After 79 years a replica of the original letter was accepted by the German Government, thanks to the support of the Jewish community and the deep reverence Boydie Turner has for his grandfather.

Executive Council of Australian Jewry executive director Peter Wertheim noted Cooper’s protest "was a remarkable affirmation of humanity and decency in the face of evil, occurring at a time when Aboriginal people themselves were denied citizenship and other basic human rights in Australia and were frequently subjected to appalling physical, social and economic privations”.

In 1957, William Cooper established the AAL (Aboriginal Advancement League) along with Shadrach James, Sir Douglas Nicholls, Kaleb Morgan, Eric Onus and William Onus. The AAL was based throughout Melbourne and the Victorian region. This was after disbanding ‘Save the Aborigines Committee’, once they realised they needed a more enduring body – the AAL.

Their first action was to draft and circulate a petition requesting for a referendum to amend the Constitution to somehow legislate Aboriginal Affairs.

A second political action was to establish a defence fund for Albert Namatjira to fight against charges of selling alcohol to an Aboriginal ward of state.

The AAL was the first organisation run by solely Aboriginal members. It is the longest running Indigenous organisation having been successful in welfare work, fundraising and educating the wider public on Aboriginal affairs.

AAL Leaders - Willam Cooper centre

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES of Aboriginal Advancement League

TO ADMINISTRATE AND INITIATE programs which aim to improve the social, economic and cultural advancement of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people of Victoria.

TO PROMOTE self-determination, self-sufficiency and self- management throughout the Aboriginal community of Victoria.

TO DETERMINE AND COMMENT upon State and Federal Governments policy in Aboriginal Affairs.

TO OWN, OPERATE and MAINTAIN premises at Watt Street, Thornbury and other locations for the purposes of furthering the AAL premises.

OUR PHILOSOPHY

TO PROMOTE Aboriginal culture and identity. Enterprise and enable the AAL to generate income.

TO DEVELOP a sense of Aboriginal urban identity for the Aboriginal community.

TO PROVIDE employment opportunities for the Aboriginal community. A centre for family growth and development. An advocacy/referral service to the Aboriginal community.

Image of AAL building

“He was a very gentle man, one of those grandfathers that every child should have." – Uncle Boydie.

William Cooper’s name is still unknown to most, yet he is a man who has made significant changes to the treatment of Indigenous people and their quality of life. William Cooper is full of humility, kindness and hope. He has shown that he truly loves his culture, community and his people. William Cooper believed that we deserved the same rights of every other Australian and he spent his life fighting for it. He is a true Australian hero! William Cooper is our Aboriginal Legend.

Listen to One Blood - the story of William Cooper Story