Douglas Nicholls

Awards & Honours

Awards Won

Honours

Douglas Nicholls' list of honours is extraordinary for any Australian, let alone an Aboriginal man born on a mission in 1906. He was the first Aboriginal Australian to be knighted, the first to hold vice-regal office, and the first to be inducted into the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll. His sporting achievements, including winning the Nyah Gift and playing VFL football, were trailblazing in an era of racial segregation. The AFL's decision to name its annual Indigenous round after him ensures his legacy reaches new generations of players and fans.

AwardsDouglas Nicholls was honoured with a knighthood (Knight Bachelor) in 1972, an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), and a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (KCVO). He was also named Father of the Year and posthumously inducted into the Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll in 2011.

Honours & Distinctions

Knight Bachelor

British Crown·1972

First Aboriginal Australian to receive this honour.

Officer of the Order of the British Empire

British Crown·1962

For services to the Aboriginal community.

Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order

British Crown·1977

For services as Governor of South Australia.

Victorian Aboriginal Honour Roll

Victorian Government·2011

Posthumous induction for his contributions to the Aboriginal community.

Justice of the Peace

Victoria·1950

Appointed as a Justice of the Peace.