Photograph of Neville and Heather Bonner

Neville Thomas Bonner AO was an Australian politician, and the first Indigenous Australian to become a member of the Parliament of Australia. When Neville Bonner was working with OPAL (One People of Australia League) he met the woman who became his second wife, Heather Ryan, as well as her politically minded daughter Robyn and son-in-law Noel. Neville and Heather were married in 1972 at OPAL House in Brisbane. She was his rock who helped him through many difficult periods, especially once he moved to Canberra to take up his Senate seat.