PARLIAMENTARY ZONE
Ms McBAIN (Eden-Monaro—Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories and Minister for Emergency Management) (16:26): I move: That in accordance with section 5 of the Parliament Act 1974, the House approve the following proposal for work in the Parliamentary Zone, which was presented to the House on 22 June 2026, namely: Commemoration of Nangar (Jimmy Clements) and Ooloogan (George John Noble).
When the Duke of York officially opened Old Parliament House in 1927, the event was billed as a pageant of empire. There were around 15,000 people in attendance—politicians, military officials, dignitaries and Canberrans. But, at a time when Indigenous Australians were not even counted on the census, no invitation to any representative of our First Nations community was extended.
Despite that, there were two Wiradjuri elders among the throng: Nangar, known as Jimmy Clements or Billy King; and Ooloogan, known as George John noble or sometimes simply as Marvellous. These two men, well into their 80s at the time, had walked barefoot from the Brungle Aboriginal mission across the Brindabella Range—a multiday trek of some 150 kilometres—to attend the opening.
On arrival, they were nearly evicted for their lack of appropriate attire. But bystanders intervened, saying that no-one had more right to be there. They took a place of prominence and even spoke to the future monarch.
Billy King later stated that he was there to demonstrate his 'sovereign rights to the federal territory'. Today this act is seen as the first instance of Aboriginal protest at the parliament. To commemorate this event, the National Capital Authority has made plans to construct a life-size figurative sculpture of the men and their two dogs.
This piece will be located on the lawns opposite Old Parliament House in a setting purpose-built to suit the sculptures. Works are intended to be completed by May 2027 to align with events to mark the centenary of Old Parliament House. A design and construction team has been selected to deliver the commemoration.
Regal Innovations will lead the team, with sculptor Julie Squires to deliver the sculptural elements. A hundred years ago, Billy King and Marvellous were seen as uninvited interlopers on their own land. Today we welcome them with a permanent place of honour here at the seat of our democracy.
Theirs is a remarkable story, and this piece will help ensure their legacy is seen, understood and carried forward by generations of Australians to come. I commend the motion to the House. Question agreed to.