Nick Dondas

Nicholas Manuel Dondas AM (26 October 1939 – 8 September 2024) was an Australian Country Liberal politician in the Northern Territory, representing the seat of Casuarina in the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly from 1974 to 1994, and the Division of Northern Territory in the Australian House of Representatives from 1996 to 1998.

The Honourable Nick Dondas AM
Dondas in 1974
Member of the Australian Parliament for Northern Territory
In office 2 March 1996 – 3 October 1998
Preceded by	Warren Snowdon
Succeeded by	Warren Snowdon
5th Speaker of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly
In office 10 October 1989 – 26 June 1994
Preceded by	Roger Vale
Succeeded by	Terry McCarthy
Member of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly for Casuarina
In office 19 October 1974 – 3 June 1994
Preceded by	Division created
Succeeded by	Peter Adamson
Personal details
Born	Nicholas Manuel Dondas (1939-10-26)26 October 1939 Perth, Western Australia, Australia
Died	8 September 2024(2024-09-08) (aged 84) Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
Political party	Country Liberal Party Liberal Party (federal)
Spouse	Cheryl Jones ​ (m. 1972)​
Children	1

Political career

As a member of the Legislative Assembly, Dondas served as a minister from 1979 to 1987 under Paul Everingham, Ian Tuxworth and Stephen Hatton. He was deputy leader of the CLP, and hence Deputy Chief Minister, from 1983 to 1987 under Everingham and Tuxworth.

Dondas left the CLP to run unsuccessfully as an Independent for the electoral division of Port Darwin at the 2001 Northern Territory election.^[1]

Personal life and death

Dondas was born in Perth, and attended Christian Brothers College, Highgate, and Perth Boys High School.^{[citation needed]} He was of Greek descent.^[2] After moving to Darwin, he married Cheryl Jones on 26 August 1972, with whom he had one daughter. He was involved with the Northern Suburbs Community Development Association and the Darwin Regional Tourist Association before entering politics, and was also a keen rugby league player.

Dondas died in Darwin on 8 September 2024, at the age of 84.^[3]

References

1. Green, A. (2005) "2005 Northern Territory Election, Casuarina Electorate Profile", Australian Broadcasting Corporation, http://www.abc.net.au/elections/nt/2005/guide/casu.htm Accessed 6 October 2008.
2. Kallos, Themi (29 May 2019). "Granddaughter of Greek migrants elected to Australia's parliament". SBS Greek. Retrieved 23 February 2022.
3. Former NT politician dies aged 84

Northern Territory Legislative Assembly
Division created	Member for Casuarina 1974–1994	Succeeded by Peter Adamson
Preceded by Roger Vale	Speaker of the Northern Territory Legislative Assembly 1989–1994	Succeeded by Terry McCarthy
Parliament of Australia
Preceded by Warren Snowdon	Member for Northern Territory 1996–1998	Succeeded by Warren Snowdon