Long-serving former Country Liberal Party MLA and deputy chief minister Nick Dondas AM has been remembered as a “larger-than-life character” and a “true territory icon”.
Mr Dondas, who served as the member for Casuarina between 1974 and 1994, was honoured with a state funeral at Darwin’s Christ Church Cathedral on Monday following his death in September, aged 84.
Mr Dondas was also deputy leader in the Northern Territory parliament between 1983 and 1987 and represented the NT in the federal House of Representatives between 1996 and 1998.
During his lifetime of public service Mr Dondas played a key role in some of the territory’s biggest developments, holding portfolios in youth, sport and recreation, community development, health, industry and transport.
Cabinet members (clockwise from top left) Tom Harris, Steve Hatton, Barry Coulter, Ray Hanrahan, Jim Robertson, Nick Dondas, Ian Tuxworth, Marshall Perron and Daryl Manzie in 1985. (Supplied: Northern Territory Government)
On Monday, current CLP Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro singled out Mr Dondas’s contribution to higher education, including through the development of the Menzies School of Health Research.
“He supported the establishment of a university in the Northern Territory, thus helping shape the territory’s educational landscape for generations,” she said.
Ms Finocchiaro said Mr Dondas was also often referred to as the “father of Marrara” for the crucial role he played in the development of the northern suburbs sporting hub.
“His legacy will live on in the countless lives he touched, the institutions that he proudly helped build and the community he worked so hard to serve,” she said.
Lia Finocchiaro said Mr Dondas was instrumental in establishing a university in the NT. (ABC News: Isabella Tolhurst)
Mr Dondas was also remembered on Monday for his contribution to Darwin’s Greek community and for being a great friend to many.
Speaking on behalf of the Greek Orthodox community, Lilliane Gomatos said Mr Dondas played an integral role in establishing the school in Rapid Creek and was always generous with his time during Glenti festivals.
“[Since] the Glenti was established in 1988, Nick was always there volunteering,” she said.
“He volunteered at every Glenti we had, even up to this Glenti in 2024 — there was Nick, selling raffle tickets”.
A legacy of service and love for family
While Mr Dondas’s political achievements were front and centre at Monday’s memorial, loved ones also remembered the simple things that ultimately brought him the most joy.
“He truly was a larger-than-life character and our memories of him will live on in our hearts and minds,” his daughter Katrina O’Connor said.
Katrina O’Connor said she was “filled with gratitude” for the lessons her father taught her during his long life. (ABC News: Isabella Tolhurst)
“Let us celebrate his legacy of service, his love for family and the impact he made on so many lives.”
Ms O’Conner said she and her sister Amelia Dondas were grateful to be able to spend time with their father before his death.
“I am filled with gratitude for the lessons he taught me about hard work, resilience and the importance of community,” she said.
Ms Dondas said she would “forever miss your optimistic spirit and the compassion you had for those around you”.
Granddaughters Zara, Anastasia and Coco O’Connor were among the many friends and family members to pay tribute to Mr Dondas on Monday. (ABC News: Isabella Tolhurst)
Outside of his family, Mr Dondas’s other great love was rugby union and he played an instrumental role in establishing the sport in the NT.
He was a member of the first NT Rugby Union Committee and the president for seven years while helping to establish a six-club competition in Darwin and securing the sport a home at Marrara.
