Tanu Nona facts for kids
Tanu Nona (born around 1902, died 10 December 1980) was an important Australian leader. He was known for two main things: being a pearler and a politician. A pearler is someone who hunts for pearls, often diving for them. Tanu Nona was from both Samoan and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds. He worked with pearling boats off the coast of Queensland for many years. He also helped lead his community as a local councillor on Badu Island.
Who Was Tanu Nona?
Tanu Nona was born around 1902. He became a very respected person in Australia, especially in the Torres Strait Islands. He was honored with an OBE, which is a special award given to people who have done great things for their country.
Early Life and Pearling
Tanu Nona started working with pearling boats in the 1920s. He continued this work for most of his life, right up until he passed away. Pearling was a big industry in Queensland at that time. It involved finding and collecting pearls from the ocean. This was often dangerous work, but it was important for the economy. Tanu Nona was skilled at this job.
A Leader in His Community
Besides his work as a pearler, Tanu Nona was also a dedicated politician. He served as a local councillor on the Badu Island council. This meant he helped make decisions for his community. Local councillors work to improve things like schools, roads, and services for the people living there. Tanu Nona was a key figure in local government for the western islands group. He helped guide his community and worked for their benefit.
