Indigenous communities in Heywood and around the state are mourning the Aboriginal legal rights advocate who passed away last week aged 59. 

He has been celebrated as a pioneer who helped build trust between Aboriginal communities and police. 

Born in Heywood in 1955 and the eldest of nine children, Wayne Bell began his working life as a post master and later at the Dartmoor timber mill 

In 1993 he began working for the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS) as a client service officer, after taking over the job from his brother Michael. 

He remained there for 20 years, building a reputation as passionate campaigner for Aboriginal justice but also a straight talker. 

“Wayne was strong on partnerships and he saw the importance of connecting with the police ... he had (Victoria police chief commissioner) Ken Lay at a workshop in the Condah area,” his brother Michael Bell said. 

“He assured that people’s rights were present and that they had the right information as they went through the justice system,” Mr Bell said. 

Hailing from a large family made Wayne a familiar face in the Heywood area. 

“A lot of it came from our family, we’re a big family and we’re connected. Wayne witnessed a lot of injustice in the community and felt the need to support them.” 

But his work also made him recognisable among other indigenous communities in Portland, Hamilton, Warrnambool and Geelong. 

Following the royal commission into Aboriginal deaths in custody Mr Bell also joined the Aboriginal justice panels that were formed as a response. 

Sport was another defining element. 

He initially joined the Dartmoor football club before moving to Heywood to play in the juniors, but later returned to play for Dartmoor. 

He also coached at Bessiebelle.

“His cricket was just as important to him as his football,” his brother said. 

“In our house our mother would look after kids so we had 15 kids in our house at one time — the backyard cricket was unbelievable.”

Mr Bell served as chairman of Heywood’s Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation and played a role in the formation of Warrnambool’s Koori Court. 

VALS chief executive Wayne Muir said his legacy was easy to see. 

Flags have flown half-mast outside the Heywood police station this week and some of the kindest tributes laying on Mr Muir’s desk have come from police officers in far-flung corners of the state. 

One message read: “He was a rare breed that could work with people young and old and from all walks of life. He treated everyone with respect, from the bloke on the street to the highest official. He did this without favour.” 

Mr Bell leaves behind his wife of 33 years, Mary-Anne, his two sons John and Sean, daughter Kristen and eight grandchildren. 

Last year his daughter Inala died tragically.

A service will be held tomorrow at the Portland Civic Centre at 1pm.