Francis Aqorau

Aqorau was born in the New Georgia village of Kokeqolo in 1928. His father Milton Talasasa was a politician, serving as president of Roviana Council and on the Solomon Islands Advisory Council.[1] He attended All Hallows' School in Pawa, Queen Victoria School in Fiji and St Andrew's College in Christchurch in New Zealand, finishing his schooling in 1953.[1]

Aqorau then studied at the University of Canterbury and in 1956 became the first Solomon Islander to graduate with a bachelor's degree.[2] He remained at the university until the following year to earn a master's degree.[1][3][4] He married Merle Aqorau in 1958, later adopting her surname.[5] The two relocated to England, where he spent a year at the University of Cambridge studying colonial administration,[5] also visiting local councils, while his wife studied domestic science in London.[4] After returning to the Solomon Islands, he became a Cadet Administrative Officer in Malaita in 1959. He was soon promoted to Deputy Commissioner, the first Solomon Islander to reach such a position. In June 1962 he was also the first Solomon Islander to be appointed as a magistrate.[1]

After serving as Clerk to the Legislative Council in 1964 and 1965, he transferred to the administration of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands, where was appointed a District Officer in 1966.[6] He returned to the Solomon Islands as District Commissioner for Eastern District, before retiring in 1974.[1]

Aqorau then entered politics, becoming president of Western Council. In June 1976 he contested the elections to the Legislative Assembly, and was elected from the Vona Vona/Rendova/Tetepari constituency. However, he died in December the same year, suffering a heart attack while playing tennis on Boxing Day.[1]