Statue to honour Neville Bonner

From humble beginnings, Neville Bonner rose to the nation's highest political body. A statue in Canberra will honour his achievement.

Neville Bonner will receive a statue in his honour. Source: Museum of Australian Democracy

Neville Bonner AO, the first Indigenous person ever elected to federal parliament, will be honoured with a statue in Canberra.

A likeness of the Jagera man, who was sworn into parliament 50 years ago, will take its place within Canberra's National Triangle near Old Parliament House.

The statue is expected to be completed next year, and will join representations of former prime ministers including John Curtin in the parliamentary triangle.

In 1971 Neville Bonner became the first Indigenous person to serve in the federal parliament. Source: NATIONAL ARCHIVES AUSTRALIA

Bonner was born on Ukerebagh Island at the mouth of the Tweed River in 1922.

Despite receiving little education in his early life, he went on to carve a path of self-determination, eventually becoming the first Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person elected to the Australian parliament.