Norman Miller is soon to be listed in the Queensland edition of Who's Who.

“The sky is the limit for all of us,” artist Norman Barclay Miller says, but his dreams reach even further than that. An artist and pastor of a non-denominational Christian church, Norman works to combine numerous passions in a mission to serve his family, community and God.

The softly spoken 44 year old may be locally renowned for his artistic endeavours but scratch below the surface and a wealth of experience and a gritty determination to fight for indigenous rights is revealed.

Norman’s ongoing efforts have not gone unnoticed, especially among members of the local indigenous community. He was nominated for inclusion in this year’s edition of Queensland’s Who’s Who where his name will appear alongside others who have significantly contributed to society.

Entry into the publication is decided by an independent editorial board and cannot be purchased. The nomination came as a complete surprise to Norman. “I don’t know who nominated me or why I was selected but it is such an honour,” he says.

Norman’s mission to serve, combined with his identity as a descendant of the Jirrbal, BarBarrum and Yidinji rainforest peoples of the Atherton Tableland, are reflected in his paintings.

“When I paint, I use the side of me that has the traditional name of Munganbana,” he says. “It means Mountain Water in Jirrbal. I paint personal journeys and the beauty and landscapes around me.”In lino prints, acrylic paintings and batik fabrics, Norman depicts aspects of family and home, plus a love of rivers, rainforests, seascapes and wildlife, “the geographical elements particular to my ancestral landscape”, he explains.

Unafraid of combining traditional indigenous techniques and colours with contemporary abstract styles and bright blues and greens, Norman denies choosing an approach that caters for tourists.

“Those are the colours of the rainforest,” he says, referring to a painting of rainbow lorikeets.

The role of family in Norman’s life filters through other paintings including the one awarded first prize at the 2006 inaugural Oceanic Exhibition at Port Douglas. I Carried My Son, My Daughter depicts a story relayed by his grandfather about how his mother carried her children in handwoven dilly bags.

It is one of many works that have been exhibited widely in private and public galleries across the state, including a set of 12 painted shields acquired by the Queensland Museum. But it is his 2002 Homecoming exhibition that Norman seems to recall most affectionately. Held in the foyer of the Atherton Shire Council building, the theme was his early childhood in Wondecla, a tiny settlement of homes about 5km from Herberton. “You never forget where you grew up, your friends, the things you used to do,” he says. Norman added historical displays about the local community and his family to enhance the exhibition of his works. “There was even the old wash tub that Mum used to wash us in.”

Around Cairns, however, Norman is probably better recognised as the artist from the Aboriginal Art Gallery in Andrejic Arcade. Opened in 1996, it was moved into new and possibly even smaller premises across Lake St last year.

One of only a few galleries to be owned and run by an Aboriginal artist, it houses his workshop and operates as a business providing his main source of income.

From here, he has launched various projects with young people including a 2004-2005 series of art workshops with youth “in trouble with the law” and several Hands Up for Reconciliation activities working unpaid in schools, inviting students to place imprints of their painted hands on canvases to support reconciliation.

It’s a role he enjoys and returns to whenever possible, drawn by a passion he says to see young people use their talents, to improve understanding between different generations and to promote a better relationship between indigenous and nonindigenous people.

Norman was one of six children born to Barclay and Shirley Miller, both devout Christians who passed a practical interpretation of faith to their children. The family settled in Cairns more than 30 years ago, after Norman’s early years in Wondecla and a short time at Innisfail.

Barclay, an experienced public servant, continued to be called on for his skills as an indigenous liaison officer even after his retirement. He died aged 71 in November last year. “He was a people person,” Norman says, who as a child watched his father frequently answer calls from distressed neighbours. “He used to buy loaves of bread and cartons of eggs and take them to people,” he says. Shirley, a Sunday school teacher, worked as a cleaner for nursing homes.

“Mum has a big heart and will do anything for anybody,” Norman explains. “I always say I have one of the best families and I try to share the encouragement they’ve given me with others.”

Ordained as a pastor in 1996, Norman teamed up with wife and fellow pastor, Barbara Miller, to found the Centre for Reconciliation and Peace in Cairns. Based at the Tabernacle of St David in Sheridan St, the non-denominational organisation has joined other volunteers and churches to form part of an international network of Christians working towards all forms of reconciliation. Their efforts include helping heal divisions between indigenous and non-indigenous people, the young and older generations and between nations.

Key speakers and organisers of a series of annual reconciliation conferences around the country between 2003 and 2007, the Millers’ pastoral work has taken on an international reach attracting people from Australia, Asia and the Pacific. Their largest event in 2006 brought 2000 delegates to hear speakers at the Cairns Showground.

“People came from Indonesia, India, Kuwait, Israel, Australia and about 600 were from Papua New Guinea,” Norman says.

He has travelled to Israel four times in recent years heading teams of Christians, including indigenous leaders, on missions to promote reconciliation between the Jewish and Arab peoples.

Closer to home and in 2007, Norman opened a celebration funded by the centre to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1967 referendum. Around 150 invited guests watched as 45 certificates were presented to individuals and groups recognising their contribution to the citizenship movement.

“There are a lot of unsung heros around here who were involved in making that referendum a success,” Norman says.

In search of more ways to “make a difference”, Norman stood for election to the federal seat of Leichhardt last November and the council seat of Cairns Division 4 seat in March this year.

Although both campaigns were unsuccessful and he remains unsure about standing again, the outcomes have not slowed his efforts elsewhere.

Attending Sorry Day in Canberra in February, Norman returned heartened by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s apology.

“My grandfather, Thomas Miller, was removed and taken from his mother under the Aborigines Act at Nyleta about 6-7km from Atherton in 1905. He was only five years old and, sadly, he never saw his mother or sister again.

“This not only affected my grandfather but also my father, who always carried that disappointment about missing family members,” he says.

“What the apology means to me is that it will bring some closure to the pain that has been experienced right across Australia for generations.”

Seeing the move as a potential watershed for the nation, Norman holds hopes of Australia becoming a role model for reconciliation around the world.

“When speaking overseas I’ll have a good thing to tell people about what’s happened here. I believe Australia can really press forward now,” he says.

Share this article