Vale Norm Stanley 1977-2024

GEELONG’S First Nations community is in mourning following the passing of Norm Stanley.

The Kurnai/Wotjabaluk man, well known across the Geelong region as an artist, a musician and for performing didgeridoo at hundreds of Welcome to Country ceremonies in Geelong, the Bellarine and the Surf Coast, was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney cancer in January this year.

He died yesterday (Wednesday, May 15).

On her Facebook page, Norm’s wife Nikki wrote: “Our warrior laid down his weapons and spread his wings, to soar high at sundown with the first stars shining bright

You have braved what many couldn’t and you stood strong and proud til you were no longer able.

“No more pain my love

“We will forever love you and honour you in each and everything we do.”

Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co Op both paid tribute to Mr Stanley on their Facebook pages.

“We acknowledge the pain and sadness felt by our First Nations community, and the wider community, with the passing of Norm Stanley,” the corporation wrote.

“We recognize Norm’s huge contribution to ceremonies, art, education and culture.

“We say Nyatne (thank you) for everything he did with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, where he was always well respected and valued – he will be dearly missed.

“We send our condolences, love and support to Wadawurrung Woman Nikki Stanley and children, and to all Norm’s family and the community.”

The co-op wrote the entire Wathaurong community was “mourning the loss of staunch leader, Norm Stanley, who passed into the Dreamtime yesterday”.

“Norm was a warrior and will be missed by all. We pass our heartfelt condolences on to Norm’s wife, Nikki, their kids and extended family.”

A friend of the Stanley family set up a GoFundMe page to support Mr Stanley’s medical expenses, and the crowdfunding campaign raised nearly $27,000 in the space of four days.