GEELONG’S First Nations community is in morning following the passing of Norm Stanley.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
He died yesterday (Wednesday, May 15).<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
You have braved what many couldn’t and you stood strong and proud til you were no longer able.<\/p>\n
“No more pain my love<\/p>\n
“We will forever love you and honour you in each and everything we do.”<\/p>\n
Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation and the Wathaurong Aboriginal Co Op both paid tribute to Mr Stanley on their Facebook pages.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“We recognize Norm\u2019s huge contribution to ceremonies, art, education and culture.<\/p>\n
“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.<\/p>\n
“We send our condolences, love and support to Wadawurrung Woman Nikki Stanley and children, and to all Norm\u2019s family and the community.”<\/p>\n
The co-op wrote the entire Wathaurong community was “mourning the loss of staunch leader, Norm Stanley, who passed into the Dreamtime yesterday”.<\/p>\n
“Norm was a warrior and will be missed by all. We pass our heartfelt condolences on to Norm\u2019s wife, Nikki, their kids and extended family.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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GEELONG’S First Nations community is in morning 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 […]<\/p>\n