By Matthew Sims
Maribyrnong council has approved the next step in placing notable Indigenous Australian and social justice campaigner William Cooper’s (1860-1941) former home in Footscray on the Victorian Heritage Register (VHR).
At its meeting on Tuesday, March 21, councillors passed a motion to note Heritage Victoria’s nomination for the Yorta Yorta man’s former home at 73 Southampton Street in Footscray to be included on the VHR and endorse the submission to Heritage Victoria supporting the nomination with a slight change to provide greater detail on the physical features which should be conserved in order to interpret the important associations of the place.
In 1933, Mr Cooper and his wife Sarah moved to the working-class suburb of Footscray.
During the 1930s, Mr Cooper resided at a number of properties in Footscray where he established a political group known as the Australian Aborigines’ League (AAL), which was the first organisation demanding justice for Aboriginal people in their own voice and on their own terms.
William Cooper lived at the property at 73 Southampton Street from January 1938 to November 1940.
On December 6, 1938, he led an AAL delegation from 73 Southampton Street to the German consulate at 425 Collins Street to deliver a letter which condemned the Nazi government’s treatment of Jewish people.
The site includes a modest single-storey double-fronted Edwardian-era weatherboard house, with a low front fence and several outbuildings to the rear.
Maribyrnong councillor Anthony Tran said the inclusion of the house on the VHR was one step the council can take to preserve its connection to Aboriginal and Torres Strait history.
“The importance of heritage and the conservation of heritage in our municipality can not be overstated,” he said.
Cr Michael Clarke said one of Mr Cooper’s most valuable traits was his commitment to fairness for all people.
“What a wonderful man and what a wonderful legacy he leaves us in our great city,” he said.
