Neville Bonney has spent a lifetime promoting Australian native plants and championing the importance of what he describes as our National Estate. 

Since his first book The Tantanoola Tiger was published in 1976, Neville has authored and co-authored more than 20 major works on the places, seeds and plants native to Australia.

His books have become essential reading for anyone involved in the restoration of ecosystems and landscapes, as well as an invaluable guide for local plant enthusiasts and visitors to Australia.

His latest work ‘From One Small Seed a Forest Is Born’ published in late 2021 is a comprehensive guide to Australian native plants and their seeds, covering more than 700 species from 63 families.

As a popular speaker and educator, Neville continues to engage community across the country on seed collection, local plant identification and traditional uses for native plants.

He is a strong advocate for the commercialisation of useful native flora and has promoted the production and development of markets for bush foods in Australia and beyond. 

When asked if he had any honorifics to add to his name on the award, he humbly replied, ‘Nah, just Battler for the Bush’.