On Friday 27 July 2018 we celebrated the renaming of the electorate of Batman to Cooper, in recognition of William Cooper. We were honoured to have Uncle Boydie – William Cooper’s grandson – represent the Cooper family, along with Uncle Phil Cooper, a respected local leader. Uncle Boydie has made his own substantial contribution to his community and is the custodian of the legacy of his grandfather, William Cooper.

The campaign to change the name was spearheaded by the Wurundjeri and Yorta Yorta elders, who pursued this for many years. The decision acknowledges the suffering of First Nations peoples caused by colonisation and our future as an inclusive and respectful society. This change belongs to them. It is a mark of truth-telling, of respect and recognition and also of a nation maturing. We stand on the shoulders of giants!

- Ged Kearney MP, first member for Cooper