Aunty Di celebrated and farewelled

A LIVING wake for local elder and Gunditjmara woman Diana Nikkelson was held last weekend.

Ms Nikkelson, affectionately known as Aunty Di by many in the Ballarat community, has terminal stomach cancer and suggested that her celebration of life take place before she enters the dreaming.

The living wake was held at the Marty Busch Reserve clubrooms on Saturday, and nearly 200 of Ms Nikkelson’s family members, friends and former colleagues were part of the day, reflecting on her 75 years of achievement, and sharing all they love about her.

“I really appreciated everything every single person said on Saturday, and the ones who sent me messages,” she said.

“You could feel the love in the room. It was so enjoyable for me, and other people should consider doing it too.”

Ms Nikkelson is a survivor of the Stolen Generation, and one of 10 children, who went onto have nine of her own, including eldest daughter Pauline Smith.

“You can’t hear what people say about you, or read what they leave in the book, when you’ve passed away,” Ms Smith said.

“The living wake gave us as family the opportunity to welcome them to come and say their farewells to mum, share memories, reflect on her life, what they’ve done together, and how they met.

“Mum was so overwhelmed, and to see the expression and smile on her face was special.”

Ms Nikkelson was a founding member of the Ballarat and District Aboriginal Co-operative in the late-70s, was a board director for 16 years and chair for six years.

“We really supported each other and backed each other up. They were the good old days,” she said.

She raised the Aboriginal flag at View Point for the first time, and was the face of Ballarat’s inaugural Survival Day Dawn Ceremony, which was organised by another of her daughters, Nikki Foy.

“I loved that. It was perfect, and Nikki has done such a great job. I’m proud of her,” Ms Nikkelson said.

Twenty-two young people get to call Ms Nikkelson nan, and she has 13 great-grandchildren, five foster grandchildren, and one great-grand foster child.

As a visual artist, Ms Nikkelson worked on the Bunjil the Eagle installation at the Koorie Playground at Lake Wendouree, she designed the goanna which was etched into the paving along Police Lane in 2006, and has painted murals across the city.

She was a passionate darts player for over 30 years, played softball, loved to race cars at the Redline Raceway, and studied various courses at Federation University including family support and community work.

Ms Nikkelson lived with diabetes, and had throat cancer and a laryngectomy 18 years ago. She overcame leukaemia 14 years ago, and a previous bout of stomach cancer in 2019.

Her coffin is being painted by another of her daughters, artist Marley Smith.