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\u201cMum was so overwhelmed, and to see the expression and smile on her face was special.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe really supported each other and backed each other up. They were the good old days,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
She raised the Aboriginal flag at View Point for the first time, and was the face of Ballarat\u2019s inaugural Survival Day Dawn Ceremony, which was organised by another of her daughters, Nikki Foy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI loved that. It was perfect, and Nikki has done such a great job. I\u2019m proud of her,\u201d Ms Nikkelson said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Her coffin is being painted by another of her daughters, artist Marley Smith.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n