Senator Neville Bonnor AO
1979 * Award

First Aboriginal Senator

Neville Bonnor was born on Ukerebagh Island, in the mouth of the Tweed River in 1922. During the early years of his life he experienced significant discrimination and hardship as a result of his aboriginal heritage.

Later, he moved to Palm Island, which operated under a Superintendent - it was during his time on Palm Island that he developed and interest in leadership and politics.

After becoming involved in the formation of health and recreational committees on the island he moved back to mainland Queensland where he became active in indigenous issues. He later served as Vice Chairman of the Eastern Suburbs Branch of the Liberal Party in Oxley and in 1970 became the first indigenous Australian to contest a Senate election, albeit unsuccessfully. However in 1971, due to a vacancy that arose in a senate seat, Bonnor nominated to fill the vacancy, becoming Australia's first indigenous senator.

When asked in 1992 what his greatest achievement was while in the senate seat, he said, "I think the fact that I was there. Than an Aboriginal was there."