A humble, gentle man who left this country a legacy that too many don't know about, and quite a few don't deserve, Vince Copley was born in 1936, and spent the first years of his life in the Aboriginal mission system in South Australia.
After his father died when Vince was 4, and his mother was forced to work away a lot, he ended up as a resident of St Francis Boy's Home, run by a good man and his wife, luckily for him, giving him a chance for some education, and importantly for him, a sporting passion for both AFL and cricket. Both of which he played for many years, before turning his attention to the fight for recognition of his people, equal treatment and their proper place in their own land.
A lovely man, utterly lacking in airs and graces, this story was told by him to his fellow author, Lea McInerney, initially after encouragement from his beloved wife - a white Australian woman who deserves a book of her own, her strength was notable. The book was pulled into shape during interviews and discussions, with McInerney writing a follow on describing the process and providing some of her own personal insight into Vince and his family. There is also a Further Reading section which is well worth following up. Vince was quietly instrumental in, and present at, a time and actions that formed the basis of organised campaigns for better treatment and recognition of First Nations people. He was also subject to horrendous racism and behaviour that white Australians should be utterly ashamed of. I've not time at all for the deflective tactic of the past being another land and we shouldn't be held responsible. We absolutely must tell what happened and acknowlege it - history repeats when we are allowed to ignore the truth.
Vince sadly passed away in January 2022, so he will not live to see the next phase in the ongoing fight for the proper place, and proper recognition of First Nations people, which says a hell of a lot about the time it has taken for us to grow up. Having read this book for our local f2f bookclub it gave us all an opportunity to discuss both the current campaign for Constitutional Recognition of a Indigenous Voice to Parliament, and a future where Treaty and Truth are approached with the sense of urgency they deserve.
The Wonder of Little Things
'Welcome to my story. It's a simple story of a simple person, who's lived a long life now with some struggles along the way. I didn't learn a lot in school, not in the classroom, anyway. But I learned a lot from life.'
Vince Copley was born on a government mission into poverty in 1936. By the time he was fifteen, five of his family had died. But at a home for Aboriginal boys, he befriended future leaders Charles Perkins, John Moriarty and Gordon Briscoe. They were friendships that would last a lifetime.
'Always remember you're as good as anybody else,' his mother, Kate, often told him. And he was, becoming a champion footballer and premiership-winning coach. But change was in the air, and Vince knew he had more to contribute. So he teamed up with Charlie Perkins, his 'brother' from the boys' home, to help make life better for his people. At every step, with his beloved wife, Brenda, Vince found light in the darkness, the friendly face in the crowd, the small moments and little things that make the world go round.
In The Wonder of Little Things, Vince tells his story with humour, humility and wisdom. Written with his friend Lea McInerney over many cups of tea, it is an Australian classic in the making, a plain-speaking account of hardship, courage and optimism told without self-pity or big-noting.
Vince's love of life will make you smile, his heartache will make you cry, and his determination to enjoy life in the face of adversity will inspire you to find the wonder in little things every day.
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