Harper Collins Australia
January 2024
- ISBN: 9781460714843
- ISBN 10: 1460714849
- Imprint: ABC Books
- RRP: $12.99
Most readers of this blog know that my kids and grandies are Aboriginal – Wiradjuri mob. For my thirty+ years of teaching, I’ve been a learner of cross-cultural knowledge, embedded these perspectives in my teaching programmes and availed myself of every opportunity to find out more.
But, I’ll be honest, though I know a bit about NSW and Queensland First Nations people, not so much about those from other states, beyond a few tribe names and such. And, yes, shocking but true – I know even less about that other code of footy. (The kind we don’t play (didn’t invent) in NSW.) And, only slightly more about cricket.
And so therefore, I plead my ignorance about Vince Copley prior to reading this terrific and -let’s be honest – inspirational memoir, now reframed for younger readers (obviously, I hadn’t read the adult version either, though I would quite like to now – are you listening HC??).
Vince Copley AM, was a mission boy born in South Australia, Ngadjuri mob, who in his own quiet and modest way, achieved an extraordinary and meaningful life overcoming hardship, prejudice, family discord and grief, as well as the vicissitudes of life that so many can face.
In some ways, Vince was blessed. He had the opportunity of a good education, at the famous St Francis House in Adelaide, where he was a fellow student with luminaries such as Charlie Perkins. He was a skilled footballer and also a fine cricketer, who was able to parlay his sporting prowess into not just a career, but into becoming a change-agent for Aboriginal people.
In other ways, he faced great difficulties with the continual barrage of prejudice and, certainly, traumatic events in his family. He weathered the storm of marrying a white girl and proved every critic wrong, as their marriage was both long-lasting and happy. He had the opportunity to be part of great history, and his deeply held goal to help make life better for his people was always foremost.
From the freedom rides with Perkins through to teaching at the university as a highly regarded Elder of his people, Vince was a man who commanded respect and love from all around him. I’m seriously embarassed that I did not know his name before reading this, though I’m sure I have read it in numerous reports over the years around those times of pushing back against the white establishment.
Despite setbacks and, at times, hostility, Vince was always able to see the ‘light in the darkness’: the people who welcomed him, sheltered him, encouraged him, included him, the gift of his physical agility opening doors, the benefits of his education amongst First Nations boys who became noteworthy in their own rights, and a long and happy family life.
It was a powerful, humbling and transformational read and one that I would very strongly suggest should be part of any Biography collection you are holding, or alternatively, First Nations collection. I think it’s high time we saw a biopic or documentary about this unassuming yet amazing individual.
Highly recommended for both personal reading and also for biography studies for your older readers.
Read the article from In Daily
Ngadjuri Elder and changemaker Vincent Copley passes away aged 85 NITV 2022
Just So Stories 
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