Neville Bonner election card, 1972

Neville Bonner election card, 1972

Neville Bonner (1922-1999) was born on the mouth of the Tweed River and the first Aboriginal person in Federal Parliament, representing Queensland as a Liberal Party Senator. He campaigned for Aboriginal rights and was a respected Elder working with the Jagera people around Brisbane. He often lobbied for change with fellow Queenslanders Evelyn Scott, Dennis Walker and Cheryl Buchanan.  Following the 1967 Referendum, Neville Bonner joined the Liberal Party. In 1971 he became the first Aboriginal member of Commonwealth parliament when he filled a casual Senate vacancy.