Bonita Mabo Explained

Bonita Mabo
Birth Name:Ernestine Bonita Neehow
Birth Date:c. 1943
Birth Place:Halifax, Queensland, Australia
Death Date:26 November 2018 (aged 75)
Death Place:Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

Ernestine Bonita Mabo (née Neehow) (– 26 November 2018), was an Australian educator and activist for Aboriginal Australians, Torres Strait Islanders, and Australian South Sea Islanders. She was the wife of Eddie Mabo until his death in 1992.

Early life

Ernestine Bonita Neehow[1] was born in Halifax, Queensland, one of 10 children. She was an Australian South Sea Islander of Ni-Vanuatu descent whose ancestors were "blackbirded" to work in the sugar cane industry in Queensland.[2] Her grandfather was blackbirded from Tanna Island in what is now Vanuatu.[3]

Career

In 1973, Eddie and Bonita Mabo established the Black Community School in Townsville, where children could learn their own culture rather than white culture.[4] Bonita worked in the school as a teacher's aide and oversaw day-to-day operations.[5]

Mabo was an Indigenous rights activist for Aboriginal Australians, Torres Strait Islanders, and Australian South Sea Islanders.[6] [7] [8]

Honours

Mabo was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia on Australia Day (26 January) 2013, "For distinguished service to the Indigenous community and to human rights as an advocate for the Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and South Sea Islander peoples".[9] [10]

On 31 May 2018, a star was named in her honour at the Sydney Observatory, during the visit of the N.S.W. Judicial Commission's Ngara Yura Program to the Observatory. Her daughter, artist Gail Mabo, was present, since Bonita was ill. Another star, Koiki, had been named in memory of Eddie Koiki Mabo in 2015 on the 23rd anniversary of the Mabo decision.[11]

On 17 November 2018, James Cook University conferred upon Bonita Mabo an Honorary Doctorate of Letters in recognition of her outstanding contribution to social justice and human rights at a private ceremony held in Brisbane.[12]

Death

Bonita Mabo died in Brisbane on 26 November 2018, aged 75.[13]

A statement by the Australian South Sea Islander Alliance of which Bonita Mabo was honorary patron described her as someone who would be greatly missed, saying:

"Aunty Bonita's contribution to social justice and human rights for First Nations People and the Australian South Sea Islander recognition was monumental and relentless."

Media portrayals

In the 2012 television film Mabo, Deborah Mailman played the role of Bonita Mabo, opposite Jimi Bani who played her husband Eddie Mabo.[14]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies - Eddie Koiki Mabo. Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. 21 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180222160919/http://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/articles/eddie-koiki-mabo#. 22 February 2018. live. dmy-all.
  2. News: Bonita Mabo's battle as vital as Eddie's. Fraser. Andrew. 26 January 2013. The Australian. News Corp Australia. https://web.archive.org/web/20161130121816/http://www.theaustralian.com.au:80/archive/in-depth/bonita-mabos-battle-as-vital-as-eddies/story-fnh2874a-1226562123983. 30 Nov 2016. 26 March 2014.
  3. News: 10 years after Mabo, Eddie's spirit dances on. Stephens. Tony. 31 May 2002. The Sydney Morning Herald. Fairfax Media. 20 February 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180221041051/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2002/05/30/1022569815373.html#. 21 February 2018. live. dmy-all.
  4. Web site: Black Community School. Screen Australia Digital Learning. https://web.archive.org/web/20180410125426/http://www.mabonativetitle.com/theman_18.shtml#. 10 April 2018. live. 27 November 2018. dmy-all.
  5. Web site: Bonita Mabo honoured by JCU. 22 November 2018. James Cook University. https://web.archive.org/web/20181123154427/https://www.jcu.edu.au/news/releases/2018/november/bonita-mabo-honoured-by-jcu#. 23 November 2018. live. 27 November 2018. dmy-all.
  6. News: It's time, says Bonita Mabo. 2004-08-01. Sydney Morning Herald. 2009-05-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20150924142015/http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2004/08/01/1091298558059.html?from=storylhs#. 24 September 2015. live. dmy-all.
  7. Web site: Bonita Mabo Interview. Negus. George. 2003-08-06. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 2009-05-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20091010020753/http://www.abc.net.au/dimensions/dimensions_people/Transcripts/s918743.htm. 10 October 2009. dead. dmy-all.
  8. Web site: For Who I Am-Bonita Mabo. MacLean. Danielle. Screen Australia. 2009-05-14. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20090629113322/http://www.screenaustralia.gov.au/showcases/8478/bonita.asp. 29 June 2009. dmy-all.
  9. Web site: Mrs Ernestine Bonita MABO . Australian Honours Search Facility. . 11 December 2021.
  10. News: Bonita Mabo awarded AO. 26 January 2013. ABC News (Australia). Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 26 March 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20130127114957/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-01-26/bonita-mabo-awarded-ao/4484834#. 27 January 2013. live. dmy-all.
  11. Web site: Briscoe . Luke . A star is named: Eddie Mabo honoured in star dedication . . 3 June 2015 . 11 December 2021.
  12. News: Bonita Mabo, prominent Indigenous rights activist, dies days after receiving accolade. Higgins. Isabella. 26 November 2018. ABC News. 27 November 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20181126203347/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-26/bonita-mabo-dies-days-after-human-rights-accolade/10555496#. 26 November 2018. live. dmy-all.
  13. News: Bonita Mabo dies days after human rights accolade . 26 November 2018 . ABC News . 26 November 2018 . en-AU . https://web.archive.org/web/20181126062601/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-11-26/bonita-mabo-dies-days-after-human-rights-accolade/10555496# . 26 November 2018 . live . dmy-all .
  14. News: Bonita Mabo honoured by Mailman at Logies award. 2012. National Indigenous Times. 27 April 2015. dead. https://archive.today/20150427114239/http://nit.com.au/news/2694-bonita-mabo-honoured-by-mailman-at-logies-award.html. 27 April 2015. dmy-all.

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