Bonita Mabo: tributes pour in for 'mother of native title'

South Sea Islander hailed for her 'powerful contribution' to reconciliation in Australia

Tributes are flowing for the "matriarch of reconciliation", Bonita Mabo, an activist and reconciliation advocate in her own right who was the wife of the land rights champion Eddie "Koiki" Mabo. She has died in Townsville, surrounded by her family, at the age of 85.

The Aboriginal social justice commissioner, June Oscar, described Mabo as "gentle, stoic and loving. I will always remember her as the mother of native title. Her legacy lives on in our continuing fight for land and sea rights."

Australia's South Sea Islander community said: "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.