The City of Adelaide has 182 years of history, but today marks the first time an Aboriginal person has been honoured on its chamber walls.
A portrait of Ngarrindjeri and Boandik elder Aunty Shirley Peisley — taken by Aboriginal artist Ali Gumillya Baker — was unveiled at Adelaide Town Hall on Friday, as part of an initiative to include a series of portraits of prominent women in council chambers.
Ms Peisley — a fierce advocate for Aboriginal rights — was heavily involved in campaigning in the lead-up to the 1967 referendum, which allowed the Commonwealth to make laws for Aboriginal people, and for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to be counted in the census.
She was the first female Aboriginal Probation and Truancy officer, working in the Youth Court in the 1970s and, in 2000, she received an Order of Australia Medal for her services to the Aboriginal community.
Damien Peisley spoke at the service on behalf of his mum, who has dementia.
"I love it. I think the actual portrait represents Mum. Her eyes just stand out and her smile," he said.
"The whole thing represents Mum and who she is … the whole family is so proud.
"It's good to see she's being recognised for all the work she's done."
The family drew parallels between the 1967 referendum — where Ms Peisley advocated for change — and this year's referendum to vote for a Voice to Parliament.
"It's not a coincidence, but I think it's nice my mum's portrait is being acknowledged … let's hope this a change for the future," Mr Peisley said.
He said it was also important to his mother that a female Aboriginal artist captured her portrait.
"When we first found out about it [having her portrait taken], Mum wasn't so forthcoming. But, when we found out it was Doctor Ali Baker, Mum was over the moon."
Dr Ali Gumilllya Baker said she was honoured to work on the piece, having known Ms Peisley for most her life.
"Aunty Shirley, to me, is a diplomat who has worked across communities, who has worked with non-Indigenous communities, making change," she said.
"It's timely, and it's important she's honoured at this time.
"I do think that it's important that we finally have an Aboriginal person in the Adelaide City Council Chambers."
City of Adelaide Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith told ABC Radio Adelaide's Stacey Lee and Nikolai Beilharz that she had known Aunty Shirley for about 30 years.
"She's been at the centre of reform, political change and a whole range of social movements but, on top of that, she's a really decent person who's worked so hard for the community," she said.
"She's been an extraordinary role model, not just for Aboriginal women, but [also] for all people who've seen someone operate with dignity, conviction and a great moral compass."
