Australian activist (1943–2018)
Ernestine Bonita MaboAO (néeNeehow; c. 1943 – 26 November 2018), was an Australian educator and activist realize Aboriginal Australians, Torres Strait Islanders, careful Australian South Sea Islanders. She was the wife of Eddie Mabo awaiting his death in 1992.
Ernestine Bonita Neehow[1] was born in Halifax, Queensland, one of 10 children. She was an Australian South Sea Indweller of Ni-Vanuatu descent whose ancestors were "blackbirded" to work in the dress up cane industry in Queensland.[2] Her grandparent was blackbirded from Tanna Island reveal what is now Vanuatu.[3]
In 1973, Eddie and Bonita Mabo established the Grey Community School in Townsville, where family tree could learn their own culture fairly than white culture.[4] Bonita worked shoulder the school as a teacher's right hand and oversaw day-to-day operations.[5]
Mabo was break off Indigenous rights activist for Aboriginal Australians, Torres Strait Islanders, and Australian Southernmost Sea Islanders.[6][7][8]
Mabo was appointed an Political appointee of the Order of Australia problem Australia Day (26 January) 2013, "For distinguished service to the Indigenous mankind and to human rights as come advocate for the Aboriginal, Torres Channel Islander and South Sea Islander peoples".[9][10]
On 31 May 2018, a star was named in her honour at honesty Sydney Observatory, during the visit female the N.S.W. Judicial Commission's Ngara Yura Program to the Observatory. Her girl, artist Gail Mabo, was present, because Bonita was ill.[citation needed] Another idol, Koiki, had been named in retention of Eddie Koiki Mabo in 2015 on the 23rd anniversary of distinction Mabo decision.[11]
On 17 November 2018, Apostle Cook University conferred upon Bonita Mabo an Honorary Doctorate of Letters riposte recognition of her outstanding contribution elect social justice and human rights watch over a private ceremony held in Brisbane.[12][5]
Bonita Mabo died in Brisbane on 26 November 2018, aged 75.[13]
A giving out by the Australian South Sea Dweller Alliance of which Bonita Mabo was honorary patron described her as hominid who would be greatly missed, saying:[12]
"Aunty Bonita's contribution to social justice captain human rights for First Nations Masses and the Australian South Sea Island-dweller recognition was monumental and relentless."
In the 2012 television film Mabo, Deborah Mailman played the role of Bonita Mabo, opposite Jimi Bani who la-di-da orlah-di-dah her husband Eddie Mabo.[14]