Obituaries Australia

MELBOURNE, Wednesday. — Mr Bill Onus, a vigorous worker in the fight to lift the status of the Aborigine, died today. He was 61.

Mr Onus was president of the Aborigines Advancement League in Victoria and was the league's representative on the Victorian Aborigines Welfare Board for seven months until its abolition late last year.

His body was found in bed at his house in the Melbourne suburb of Deepdene this morning. He suffered a heart attack two months ago.

Mr Onus will perhaps be most remembered by Victorians for the part he has taken in the Melbourne Moomba Festival. 

He suggested the title Moomba, which means "Let's get together and have fun", to former Lord Mayor, Sir Maurice Nathan, who originated the festival in 1954.

The director of the Moomba festival, Mr Don Ingersole, said Mr Onus not only had the interests of Aborigines at heart but also the welfare of the State, and his death was a sad loss.

Mr Onus had always encouraged Aboriginal participation in the Moomba festival at a very dignified level.

A funeral service will be held tomorrow by Pastor Doug Nicholls, his close friend and fellow champion of Aboriginal rights. Later the cortege will go to Springvale crematorium.

Mr Onus is survived by his wife, Mary, and 19-year old son, Lin.