Bonner, Neville

1922 - Born at Ukerabagh Island, New South Wales, on the 28th of March. He was the first Indigenous Australian to be elected to the Parliament of Australia.

1946 - Attained the position of Assistant Settlement Overseer.

1960 - Moved to Ipswich, where he joined the board of directors of the One People Australia League (OPAL).

1967 - Joined the Liberal Party and held local office in the party.

1970 - Became its Queens land president.

1971 - He was chosen to replace Liberal Senator Annabelle Rankin after her resignation.

1972 - Served as 1st aboriginal elected to Australian Parliament.

1979 - Bonner was named Australian of the Year.

1984 - Awarded the title Officer of the Order of Australia.

1992-1996 - He was member of the Griffith University Council.

1993 - The university awarded him an honorary doctorate.

1998 - Elected to the Constitutional Convention as a candidate of Australians for a Constitutional Monarchy.

1999 - He died at Ipswich, on the 5th of February.