Faith Thomas was born in 1933 in Nepabunna to an Adnyamathanha mother and a German father. As a youngster she lived in an institution for Aboriginal children called Colebrook Home. There she started playing improvised cricket on the dirt roads around the home with a home-made bat and a stone as a ball.
From athlete to nurse
Faith Thomas’ talent began to be noticed and she was invited to play in a club match in Adelaide. There she impressed with her power as a bowler and quickly became a star. However, Aunty Faith ended her cricket career the very following year, 1958, after playing her only major match for Australia against England at the Junction Oval in Melbourne. It was the first time ever that an Aboriginal athlete had represented the Australian national team in any sport.
After sports, she instead chose to pursue a career as a nurse. She became one of the first Aboriginal nurses to train at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. When she reflected on how the discrimination in healthcare had affected her opportunities, she said, according to The Guardian:
– Sister Hyde used to say that back then it was a door not meant to be opened, go and knock on the next one. That was the belief that was instilled in us – never give up.
Awarded for his work
In 2019, she was awarded the Order of Australia for her contributions to cricket and her commitment to healthcare for the country’s Indigenous communities. Each year the Faith Thomas Trophy is awarded in Adelaide. It goes to the best player in the annual women’s international cricket match between Australia and England.
– Faith Thomas’ story is as inspiring as it is incredible. A leader in medicine, sport, reconciliation and so much more, Aunty Faith blazed a trail that others have had the opportunity to follow in the decades since, said William Rayner, President of the South Australian Cricket Association.