Nova Peris Explained

Nova Peris
Honorific-Suffix:OAM
Office:Senator for the Northern Territory
Term Start:7 September 2013
Term End:9 May 2016
Predecessor:Trish Crossin
Birth Name:Nova Maree Peris
Birth Date:1971 2, df=yes
Birth Place:Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Party:Australian Labor Party
Spouse:Sean Kneebone (1995–2001)
Daniel Batman (2002–2010)
Scott Appleton (2012–present)
Module:
Embed:yes
Nocat Wdimage:yes
Height:171cm (67inches)
Updated:22 January 2013

Nova Maree Peris (born 25 February 1971) is an Aboriginal Australian athlete and former politician. As part of the Australian women's field hockey (Hockeyroos) team at the 1996 Olympic Games, she was the first Aboriginal Australian to win an Olympic gold medal. She later switched sports to sprinting and went to the 1998 Commonwealth Games and 2000 Olympic Games. She was elected to the Australian Senate at the 2013 federal election, after then Prime Minister Julia Gillard named her as a "captain's pick", installing her as the preselected Labor candidate over incumbent Labor senator Trish Crossin. She retired from the Senate in 2016.

Early life and education

Peris was born in Darwin, Northern Territory.[1] Her biological father was Indigenous rights activist John Christophersen, although she had no contact with him between the ages of 2 and 16.[2] Her mother, Joan, had been removed from her own mother, and raised in the Catholic mission on Melville Island, as one of the Stolen Generations.[3] She lived with her family in a Housing Commission unit in Fannie Bay, an inner northern suburb; though her family descends from the Gija people people of East Kimberley, the Yawuru people of West Kimberley and the Muran Clan of the Iwatja people of West Arnhem Land.[4] [5] She is said to have frequently ran away from school, with sport being her main interest. At age 13, she gave ups athletics when she was selected for the national schoolgirl hockey team.[6]

Sporting career

Peris was chosen for the Australian Women’s Hockey Team, the Hockeyroos, in 1992. By that time she already had a young daughter, Jessica. She remained in this highly successful team until 1996 when they won the gold medal at the Atlanta Olympic Games.

Peris was a representative in the Australian Women's Hockey team at the 1996 Summer Olympics, becoming the first Aboriginal Australian to win an Olympic gold medal.[7] In 1997, she switched sports and a year later she became a double gold medalist in the 1998 Commonwealth Games (Kuala Lumpur) winning the 200m sprint with a time of 22.77 seconds and sharing in Australia's 4 × 100 metres relay win. Peris was named Young Australian of the Year in 1997.[8]

Peris continued to represent Australia on the athletics track, running over 200 metres at the 1999 World Athletics Championships and 400 metres at the Sydney Olympics in 2000. She made the Olympic semi-finals in her individual event and ran in the Australian 4 × 400 metres relay team, which made the final, finishing fifth.

In the Olympic year of 2000, a portrait of her was hung in the Sporting Archibald Prize, painted by Glenda Jones.[9]

In 2005, she sold her Olympic memorabilia to the National Museum of Australia for $140,000.[10] It included her gold medal, hockey stick, Sydney Olympic torch and the running shoes she wore in the Sydney Olympics.[11]

Political career

On 22 January 2013 the Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced she would invite Peris to join the Australian Labor Party and stand as a candidate for the Senate in the Northern Territory at the 2013 election.[12] On 29 January 2013 her preselection was endorsed by the ALP executive 19 votes to 2, meaning her name was placed first on the ALP's senate ticket in the Northern Territory, supporting the likelihood that she would become Australia's first female Indigenous federal parliamentarian.[13]

On 7 September 2013 Peris became Australia's first Indigenous woman elected to federal parliament.[14] Peris was sworn into parliament on 12 November, and noted the apology to the stolen generation in her maiden speech.[15] [16]

The Northern Territory News obtained, what they claimed were private emails of now Senator Peris, in October 2014.[17] The newspaper claimed she was conducting an affair with another athlete, and had had sought government funding to arrange a trip together.[18] No evidence was ever produced for the allegations and claims about hacked emails were later dismissed by Federal Police.[19]

Peris announced on 24 May 2016 that she would not nominate to re-contest her Senate seat at the 2016 federal election.[20] Fairfax and the ABC reported that Peris was one of the frontrunners being considered to replace Jason Mifsud as head of diversity for the Australian Football League (AFL).[21] Malarndirri McCarthy announced on 25 May 2016 that she had been invited by Labor to nominate herself as Peris' Senate replacement and that she would do so.[22] Nova Peris's Senate term ended at the double dissolution of 9 May 2016.

Post political life

Although she has left Parliamentary politics, Peris has stayed involved in several high-level political causes, such as the 2023 Voice to Paraliament referendum.[23] In speeches and in an opinion piece, she argued the reform would include Indigenous Australians in national life more.[24] [25] In 2023, she was one of several high-profile Indigenous Australians calling for reparations.[26]

She is a strong advocate for education. In 2012 she became the founder and Patron of the Nova Peris Girls' Academy at St Johns Catholic College, in Darwin.[27] Peris is an Ambassador for the Australian Indigenous Education Foundation.[28]

Peris has actively supported the Australian Republic Movement (ARM) since 1999, serving as one of its two Deputy Chairs by 2022, and its co-chair from March 2023.[29] [30] [31] However, by May 2024, she had resigned from the role, saying it had become untenable whilst the co-chair was making "inaccurate and divisive public statements" regarding Israel and Gaza.[32] She has been a vocal supporter of Israel, of the Australian Jewish Community, and has been recently noted for her public advocacy against antisemitism.[33] [34] [35] In a 2024 interview, she defended her decision to resign from ARM by saying:

"I have a duty I feel as an Aboriginal person who has always stood against all forms of racial discrimination, and I hate the rise of anti-Semitism in this country and I feel for the Jewish people and everyone who has been affected..."[36]
While no longer an athlete, Peris did compete in the sixth season of Australian Survivor.[37] She was eliminated on Day 10 and finished in 21st place.[38]

Personal life

Scott Appleton proposed to Peris in South Africa in March, the couple have been married since 2012.[39]

She had previously been married to Daniel Batman. The couple had two children, though they separated in 2010; with Batman later dying in a car accident.[40] [41] Previous to that she had been married to Sean Kneebone, who she had met when she was 17 and married in 1995. While married to Kneebone, she adopted the surname Peris-Kneebone but reverted following their divorce in 2001.[42] From this time, Peris has three children: Jessica (with Kneebone) and Destiny and Jack (with Batman). She became a grandmother at the age of 40.[43] Her son Jack is a footballer for the Essendon Football Club.[44]

As a child, her family attended St Martin De Porres Catholic Community at Casuarina church regularly; she still considers herself a Christian, while keeping an active interest in Australian spirituality.[45]

Published work

Recognition

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Peris, Nova, 1971- - Full record view - Libraries Australia Search . 2024-05-21 . librariesaustralia.nla.gov.au.
  2. Web site: Heads . Ian . Nova Peris . Indigenous Australia . 23 October 2023 . 25 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231025012650/https://ia.anu.edu.au/biography/peris-nova-17821 . live .
  3. Web site: Hersh . Philip . 22 September 2000 . Across generations . 21 April 2021 . . 27 May 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190527232319/http://my.chicagotribune.com/ . live .
  4. Web site: Sheridan . Claire . 30 April 2019 . National Museum of Australia - Nova Peris . 2024-05-22 . www.nma.gov.au . en . 22 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240522052210/https://www.nma.gov.au/explore/blog/nova-peris . live .
  5. Web site: 2021 . Nova Maree Peris . 2024-05-22 . Commonwealth Parliament . en-AU . 22 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240522052208/https://www.aph.gov.au/Visit_Parliament/Art/Stories_and_Histories/HMC/Firsts/Nova_Maree_Peris . live .
  6. 2001 . Nova Peris, AM: 1996: First Indigenous Australian to win an Olympic gold medal . Women Shaping the Nation: Victorian Honour Roll of Women . 1 . 22 May 2024 . 28 November 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231128153445/https://herplacemuseum.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2001-Honour-Roll-Booklet.pdf . live .
  7. Web site: Nova Peris entry on The Australian Women's Register . 17 January 2012 . 26 January 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120126220832/http://www.womenaustralia.info/biogs/AWE2289b.htm . live .
  8. Web site: Territory Women, Northern Territory Library . 10070/218087 . 17 January 2012 . 22 March 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200322141317/https://www.territorystories.nt.gov.au/handle/10070/218087 . dead .
  9. Web site: Current and previous exhibitions, National Portrait Gallery. 8 September 2013. 28 September 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130928231335/http://www.portrait.gov.au/exhibit/sportarch/Sporting.htm. live.
  10. News: Nova Peris sells Olympic memorabilia . 5 March 2005 . . Australian Broadcasting Corporation . 26 June 2012 . 9 December 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131209150421/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2005-03-05/nova-peris-sells-olympic-memorabilia/1529896 . live .
  11. Web site: Nova Peris collection at the National Museum of Australia . 17 January 2012 . 14 November 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131114015913/http://www.nma.gov.au/collections-search/results?QueryTerms=nova+peris&search=basic . live .
  12. News: Cullen. Simon. Gillard picks Nova Peris to run for Senate. 22 January 2013. ABC News. 22 January 2013. 23 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130123010429/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-22/gillard-picks-nova-peris-to-run-for-senate/4478528?section=nt. live.
  13. News: Kenny. Mark. Olympian's run for senate endorsed. 29 January 2013. The Age. 29 January 2013.
  14. News: Laughland. Oliver. Nova Peris becomes first Indigenous woman in federal parliament. 7 September 2013. The Guardian. 7 September 2013.
  15. Web site: Emotional speech from Australia's first Indigenous female Senator. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 12 November 2013. 13 November 2013. 13 November 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131113092616/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-VWPgKNUH8&gl=US&hl=en. live.
  16. Web site: FIRST SPEECH – Senator PERIS (Northern Territory). Senate Hansard. Parliament of Australia. 13 November 2013. 13 November 2013. 20 December 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131220014742/http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:%22chamber%2Fhansards%2F0217fd09-dc06-4bd4-a21e-0cea40cf41ba%2F0142%22. live.
  17. News: 2015-01-07 . 'Insufficient evidence' to pursue Nova Peris' claims of email hacking . 2024-05-22 . ABC News . en-AU . 22 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240522035225/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-07/afp-halts-investigation-into-nova-peris-claims-of-email-hacking/6004988 . live .
  18. News: 2015-01-07 . 'Insufficient evidence' to pursue Nova Peris' claims of email hacking . 2024-05-22 . ABC News . en-AU . 22 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240522035225/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-07/afp-halts-investigation-into-nova-peris-claims-of-email-hacking/6004988 . live .
  19. News: 2015-01-07 . 'Insufficient evidence' to pursue Nova Peris' claims of email hacking . 2024-05-22 . ABC News . en-AU . 22 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240522035225/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-01-07/afp-halts-investigation-into-nova-peris-claims-of-email-hacking/6004988 . live .
  20. News: Nova Peris: Tearful Indigenous MP quits Australia Senate - BBC News. BBC News. 26 May 2016. en-GB. 2016-05-26. 21 August 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160821132219/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-36376220. live.
  21. News: Nova Peris will not stand for re-election. 24 May 2016. SBS News. 24 May 2016.
  22. News: Malarndirri McCarthy puts hat in the ring for Nova Peris Senate seat. 2016-05-24. ABC News. en-AU. 2016-05-26. 26 May 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160526050857/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-05-25/malarndirri-mccarthy-puts-hat-in-the-ring-for-peris-vacancy/7443356. live.
  23. Web site: 'Our misery is a commodity': Nova Peris speaks up for change and says a Voice is timely . 2024-05-22 . NITV . en . 22 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240522025627/https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/qanda-wraps-up-the-year-with/zi4mzk9wx . live .
  24. News: Peris . Nova . 13 October 2023 . I believe in the Australian people, vote yes for us . . 22 May 2024 . 22 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240522025628/https://nit.com.au/13-10-2023/8111/i-believe-in-the-australian-people-vote-yes-for-us . live .
  25. Web site: 2023-08-25 . 'I trust in the Australian people': Nova Peris returns to Canberra for two important journeys . 2024-05-22 . The Canberra Times . en-AU . 22 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240522025628/https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8323406/i-trust-in-the-australian-people-nova-peris-returns-to-canberra-for-two-important-journeys/ . live .
  26. News: Yim . Noah . 6 May 2023 . 'Novelty' on parade but footy codes reign in our pubs . . 22 May 2024 . 22 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240522052208/https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/novelty-on-parade-but-footy-codes-reign-in-our-pubs/news-story/1531d67f03a2d3aeed60744c06adb949 . live .
  27. Web site: 2024 . Former Senator Nova Peris OAM . 2024-05-22 . www.aph.gov.au . en-AU . 22 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240522052208/https://www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian?MPID=CDK . live .
  28. Web site: Ambassadors - About . 4 November 2020 . Australian Indigenous Education Foundation . 27 June 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180627005419/http://aief.com.au/about/our-people/ambassadors/ . live .
  29. Web site: Visentin . Lisa . 2022-11-16 . Republic movement must make space for 'complementary' Voice referendum: Craig Foster . 2024-05-22 . The Sydney Morning Herald . en . 22 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240522031959/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/republic-movement-must-make-space-for-complementary-voice-referendum-craig-foster-20221116-p5bypw.html . live .
  30. Web site: Grand . Chip Le . 2024-05-21 . Nova Peris quits republican movement over Gaza split with co-chair Craig Foster . 2024-05-22 . The Sydney Morning Herald . en . 22 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240522031959/https://www.smh.com.au/national/nova-peris-quits-republican-movement-over-gaza-split-with-co-chair-craig-foster-20240521-p5jf9p.html . live .
  31. Web site: Boecker . Brianna . 2023-03-21 . Nova Peris OAM appointed Co-Chair of The Australian Republic Movement . 2024-05-22 . Women's Agenda . en-AU . 22 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240522031959/https://womensagenda.com.au/latest/appointments/nova-peris-oam-appointed-co-chair-of-the-australian-republic-movement/ . live .
  32. Web site: Grand . Chip Le . 2024-05-21 . Nova Peris quits republican movement over Gaza split with co-chair Craig Foster . 2024-05-22 . The Sydney Morning Herald . en . 30 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240530045003/https://www.smh.com.au/national/nova-peris-quits-republican-movement-over-gaza-split-with-co-chair-craig-foster-20240521-p5jf9p.html . live .
  33. News: Prestipino . David . 6 April 2024 . Nova Peris clarifies 'terrorist sympathiser' slur after death of Australian aid worker Zomi Frankcom in Gaza . National Indigenous Times . 29 May 2024 . 29 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240529092524/https://nit.com.au/06-04-2024/10678/nova-peris-clarifies-terrorist-sympathiser-slur-after-death-of-australian-aid-worker-zomi-frankcom-in-gaza . live .
  34. Web site: Staff . Ajn . 'Leading light in the fight against antisemitism' . 2024-05-22 . www.australianjewishnews.com . en-US . 22 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240522031952/https://www.australianjewishnews.com/leading-light-in-the-fight-against-antisemitism/ . live .
  35. Web site: Sakkal . Paul . 2024-02-06 . Nova Peris says Aboriginal flag 'misappropriated' by Palestine protesters . 2024-05-22 . The Sydney Morning Herald . en . 22 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240522031959/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/nova-peris-says-aboriginal-flag-misappropriated-by-palestine-protesters-20240206-p5f2qr.html . live .
  36. Web site: Mageros . Adriana . 2024-05-22 . Nova Peris lashes Craig Foster's Gaza stance as she quits ARM . 2024-05-29 . skynews . en . 29 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240529093037/https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/creating-more-antisemitism-nova-peris-lashes-craig-fosters-gaza-stance-as-she-quits-australian-republican-movement/news-story/3b95692984a5ae018a7a90e5acef107b . live .
  37. Web site: Law . Benjamin . 2021-10-22 . Nova Peris: 'I'm in a category six cyclone here' . 2024-05-22 . The Sydney Morning Herald . en . 22 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240522052208/https://www.smh.com.au/national/nova-peris-i-want-aboriginal-kids-to-never-be-ashamed-20210916-p58san.html . live .
  38. Web site: McKnight . Robert . May 21, 2019 . Major cast details leaked for AUSTRALIAN SURVIVOR: CHAMPIONS vs CONTENDERS . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20190522063054/https://tvblackbox.com.au/page/2019/5/21/exclusive-major-cast-details-leaked-for-australian-survivor-champions-vs-contenders?format=amp . 22 May 2019 . May 25, 2019 . TV Blackbox.
  39. Web site: Rintoul . Stuart . 2014-03-21 . The fast track . 2024-05-22 . The Sydney Morning Herald . en . 22 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240522052208/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-fast-track-20140317-34wav.html . live .
  40. News: Frost . Carleen . Turner, Ellie . 26 June 2012 . Australian Olympian Daniel Batman killed in NT car crash . 26 June 2012 . Herald-Sun.
  41. http://www.canberratimes.com.au/sport/athletics/like-a-bat-outta-hell-for-london-20111216-1ugkp.html "Like a bat outta hell for London"
  42. News: Some lines you don't cross. Michelle. Hamer. Michelle Hamer (author). 30 March 2003. The Age. 26 June 2012. 23 June 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120623213441/http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2003/03/29/1048653901221.html. dead.
  43. News: Peris no stranger to challenges . 14 November 2013 . 31 December 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20131231171352/http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/peris-no-stranger-to-challenges-20130125-2dc1i.html . live .
  44. Web site: 2023-07-13 . Son of Olympic gold medallist locked in for AFL debut . 2024-05-21 . 7NEWS . en . 21 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240521080320/https://7news.com.au/sport/afl/st-kilda-hand-afl-debut-to-jack-peris-son-of-olympic-gold-medallist-nova-c-11268554 . live .
  45. Biography - Nova Peris - Indigenous Australia. (n.d.). https://ia.anu.edu.au/biography/peris-nova-17821
  46. Web site: 2023-10-04 . 2023 SAHOF Inductees Sport Australia Hall of Fame . 2023-10-03 . en-US . 3 October 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231003180648/https://sahof.org.au/2023-sahof-inductees/ . live .
  47. Web site: 'We are brilliant people': Nova Peris receives Lifetime Achievement at Dreamtime Awards 2019 . 2024-05-22 . NITV . en . 22 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240522052208/https://www.sbs.com.au/nitv/article/we-are-brilliant-people-nova-peris-receives-lifetime-achievement-at-dreamtime-awards-2019/j0dtu34im . live .
  48. Web site: 2024 . Nova PERIS-KNEEBONE . Olympics . 22 May 2024 . 30 May 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240530045002/https://olympics.com/en/athletes/nova-peris-kneebone . live .

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