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Murray Bridge Rural City Skippycoin ICG

Murray Bridge Rural City

South Australia

MURRAYBRIDGE.SA.GUIDE

Community, Business and Visitor Guide

Murray Bridge Rural City Who's Who

Distinguished and Famous people from Murray Bridge Rural City

1. Sir Douglas Nicholls (1906-1988)

Sir Douglas Nicholls, also known as Pastor Doug Nicholls, was an acclaimed Australian Aboriginal rights activist, footballer, and statesman. Born on December 9, 1906, in Cummeragunja Reserve, New South Wales, he grew up in poverty and faced discrimination throughout his life.

Nicholls played Australian Rules football for the Fitzroy Football Club in the Victorian Football League (VFL) and became one of the league's earliest Indigenous players. His exceptional skills and activism against racial prejudice made him a pivotal figure in promoting racial equality in sports.

After retiring from football, Nicholls dedicated his life to advocating for Indigenous rights. He became the first Indigenous Australian to be knighted and served as the Governor of South Australia from 1976 to 1977, making him the first Aboriginal person appointed to a vice-regal office.

2. Frank Pike (1897-1968)

Frank Pike, born on February 26, 1897, in Murray Bridge, South Australia, was an acclaimed war hero and naval officer. He joined the Royal Australian Navy in 1912 and served during World War I as part of the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force.

Pike's exceptional bravery and leadership skills earned him the Distinguished Service Cross in 1915. He continued his service during World War II, commanding naval vessels and later becoming the Commodore of the Royal Australian Navy and Commander of the Royal Navy's 2nd Destroyer Flotilla.

In recognition of his outstanding contributions, Pike was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath. He passed away on October 20, 1968, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of courage and dedication to his country.

3. Robyn Davidson (born 1950)

Robyn Davidson, born on September 6, 1950, in Miles, Queensland, is an acclaimed Australian writer and traveler closely associated with Murray Bridge. She gained global recognition for her book "Tracks," which documented her solo journey across 1,700 miles of Australian deserts with her camels from Alice Springs to the Indian Ocean.

Davidson's remarkable adventure and her profound connection with the Australian wilderness inspired millions. "Tracks" was published in 1980 and became an international bestseller, later adapted into a film in 2013.

Throughout her writing career, Davidson has explored various themes related to travel, nomadism, indigenous cultures, and women's independence. She remains an influential figure in the literary world and an advocate for environmental conservation.

4. Jason Gillespie (born 1975)

Jason Gillespie, born on April 19, 1975, in Darlinghurst, New South Wales, is a former Australian cricketer. Though not born in Murray Bridge, he is closely associated with the area as he played for the local cricket team, Murray Bridge Cricket Association.

Gillespie achieved significant success as a fast-medium bowler, representing Australia in both Test cricket and One Day Internationals (ODIs) from 1996 to 2006. He was known for his skillful bowling technique and has taken over 400 international wickets throughout his career.

Post-retirement, Gillespie has transitioned into coaching and is considered one of the leading cricket coaches in Australia. His contributions to the sport and his mentoring capabilities have shaped numerous talented cricketers, making him an influential figure in Australian cricket.

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Murray Bridge thanks to Denisbin