Neville Bonner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Neville Bonner
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Bonner in 1979
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| Senator for Queensland | |
| In office 11 June 1971 – 5 March 1983 |
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| Preceded by | Dame Annabelle Rankin |
| Succeeded by | Ron Boswell |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Neville Thomas Bonner
28 March 1922 Ukerebagh Island, New South Wales, Australia |
| Died | 5 February 1999 (aged 76) Ipswich, Queensland, Australia |
| Political party | Liberal (1967–1983) Independent (from 1983) |
| Spouses |
Mona Bonner
(m. 1943; died 1969)Heather Ryan
(m. 1972) |
| Children | 5 boys |
| Occupation | Federal senator |
Neville Thomas Bonner (born 28 March 1922, died 5 February 1999) was a very important Australian politician. He was the first Aboriginal Australian person to become a member of the Parliament of Australia. In 1971, he was chosen by the Queensland Parliament to join the Senate. This made him the first Indigenous Australian to serve in federal parliament. Then, in 1972, he was the first Indigenous Australian to be elected by people's votes. Neville Bonner was also an elder of the Jagera people, which is a significant cultural role.
Contents
Neville Bonner: Australia's First Aboriginal Senator
Early Life and Background
Neville Bonner was born on 28 March 1922. His birthplace was Ukerebagh Island, a small island in the Tweed River in New South Wales. This island is very close to the border with Queensland. His mother, Julia Bell, was an Indigenous Australian. His father, Henry Kenneth Bonner, was an English immigrant.
Neville's family had deep Indigenous roots. His grandmother, Ida Sandy, belonged to the Ugarapul people. His grandfather, Roger Bell (also known as Jung Jung), was a respected member of the Jagera people. Neville's grandfather was given an English name when he was young.
Neville's parents married in Murwillumbah, New South Wales. His father left the family before Neville was born. His mother then moved to an Aboriginal reserve on Ukerebagh Island. Later, the family moved near Lismore, New South Wales, to be closer to his grandparents. They lived simply by the Richmond River.
Neville's mother passed away in July 1932 when he was ten years old. His grandmother then took care of him and his siblings. In 1935, he attended Beaudesert State Rural School in Beaudesert, Queensland. This was his only year of formal schooling. After his grandmother died in June 1935, he returned to New South Wales.
Before becoming a politician, Neville Bonner worked many different jobs. He was a ring barker, a cane cutter, and a stockman. In 1946, he moved to Palm Island, near Townsville. There, he became an Assistant Settlement Overseer, which was an important leadership role.
Starting in Politics
While living in Ipswich, Queensland, Neville Bonner became involved in community work. He joined the Coloured Welfare Council, which later became the One People of Australia League (OPAL). He was elected to OPAL's state committee in 1965. From 1968 to 1974, he served as the president of OPAL.
Neville Bonner was known for his balanced approach within the Indigenous community. OPAL often worked together with the Queensland state government. He sometimes had different views from other Indigenous leaders, like Pastor Don Brady. For example, they disagreed about the government's policies on Palm Island.
In 1967, Bonner joined the Liberal Party. He had been attending their meetings for some years. He actively supported the "Yes" vote in the 1967 referendum on Indigenous Australians. This referendum was a big step towards recognizing Indigenous people in Australia. He became a branch delegate in 1968 and joined the Queensland Liberal Party's executive in 1969.
A Senator for Queensland (1971-1983)
Becoming a Senator
In 1970, Neville Bonner was chosen by the Liberal Party to run for the Senate in Queensland. This was a historic moment. It was the first time a major political party had chosen an Aboriginal person to run for the Senate.
In 1971, a Liberal Senator resigned. Neville Bonner was then chosen to fill this open spot. On 11 June 1971, he officially became a Senator. This made him the first Indigenous Australian to serve in the federal parliament. He was re-elected several times by popular vote, serving for many years.
Making a Difference in Parliament
During his time as a Senator, Neville Bonner focused on Indigenous affairs. He led important committees that looked into issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. He strongly supported the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) Act 1976. This law helped Indigenous people gain rights to their traditional lands.
He also helped create the Aboriginal Development Commission. This group was set up to help Indigenous communities grow and develop. Neville Bonner was known for speaking his mind. He often voted against his own party if he believed it was the right thing to do for Indigenous people. This showed his strong commitment to his beliefs.
Not everyone agreed with Neville Bonner's approach. Some Indigenous people criticized him harshly. However, he also had many supporters. He believed that working within the political system was the best way to achieve change.
Running as an Independent
In 1983, there was another election. Neville Bonner was placed lower on the Liberal Party's list of candidates. He felt this was because of his strong views on Aboriginal issues. Because of this, he decided to leave the Liberal Party.
On 11 February 1983, he announced he would run as an independent candidate. He campaigned across Queensland, funding his own efforts. Many people listened to his message. However, he was narrowly defeated in the election.
Important Political Ideas
Supporting Aboriginal Rights
Neville Bonner's main goal in the Senate was to improve life for Indigenous Australians. In his first speech, he talked about how important education was. He wanted Aboriginal Australians to keep their cultural identity. At the same time, he wanted them to have the same opportunities as other Australians.
In 1974, he asked the Senate to consider giving Indigenous Australians payment for their land. This was land that had been taken from them. He also spoke out against some government plans. He believed some ideas would divide Indigenous communities. He wanted Torres Strait Islanders to remain Australian citizens.
Neville Bonner's relationship with Queensland Premier Joh Bjelke-Petersen became difficult over time. By 1982, he openly criticized the Premier's actions on Aboriginal affairs. He also supported Aboriginal protests during the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane.
Speaking Up for East Timor
Neville Bonner was also a strong supporter of the East Timorese independence movement. In 1975, he visited East Timor during a time of conflict. He met with leaders there, including José Ramos-Horta.
He criticized the Australian government for not providing enough help to East Timor. After Indonesia invaded East Timor in December 1975, Bonner spoke passionately in parliament. He felt that Australia should have done more to support East Timor. He even voted against his party to support an inquiry into the situation.
Later Years and Legacy
After leaving the Senate, Neville Bonner continued to serve Australia. In June 1983, he was appointed to the board of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). He even acted as the ABC chairman for a short time in 1984. He served on the board until 1991.
He was also a member of the council of Griffith University from 1992 to 1996. In 1993, he received an honorary doctorate from the university. In 1998, he was elected to the Constitutional Convention. This was a meeting to discuss Australia's constitution. He was also made a life member of the Liberal Party that same year.
In 1998, Neville Bonner announced he was battling a serious illness. He passed away on 5 February 1999, at the age of 76. He was given a state funeral, a special ceremony to honor important people.
Honours and Legacy
Neville Bonner received many honors for his contributions. In 1979, he was named Australian of the Year along with naturalist Harry Butler. In 1984, he was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO). This is a high honor for Australian citizens.
Several places and awards are named after him:
- The Neville Bonner Building in Brisbane was named in his honor in 1999. It was later demolished in 2017.
- The Neville Bonner Bridge, a footbridge, opened in August 2024 as part of a new development in Brisbane.
- The Neville Bonner Memorial Scholarship was created in 2000. It helps Indigenous Australians study political science at university.
- The Neville Bonner Award for Indigenous Education was introduced in 2002. It recognizes excellence in Indigenous education.
- The Neville Bonner Hostel in Rockhampton was redeveloped and reopened in 2002. It provides accommodation for Indigenous people.
- The federal electorate of Bonner in Queensland was created in 2004 and named after him.
- The suburb of Bonner in Canberra, created around 2008, also bears his name.
- In 2025, a statue was placed at Old Parliament House to remember his boomerang-throwing demonstration.
Personal Life and Interests
Neville Bonner married Mona Banfield in 1943. They had five sons and also fostered three daughters. Mona passed away in 1969. In 1972, Neville married Heather Ryan. Heather had three adult children of her own. His great-niece, Joanna Lindgren, also became a Senator in 2015.
Neville Bonner learned to make boomerangs from his grandfather. In 1966, he started a boomerang business called Bonnerang. He made the boomerangs by hand from black wattle trees. He refused to use artificial materials. His company made many boomerangs, but it closed after a year due to a shortage of wood.
After he became a Senator, Neville Bonner gave a boomerang demonstration at Parliament House. He believed that the unique design of the boomerang should be protected for Indigenous people. One of his handmade boomerangs is now kept at the Museum of Australian Democracy.
See also
