Danial Kelly has led an incredibly diverse life. From humble origins as a farmer’s son in Swan Hill, Victoria, he finished school in Geelong and was the first in his family to go to university. But after finishing first year, he bombed out and sort of drifted for a few years. Perhaps sensing he needed some direction, his mother bought him a trip to Bali for his 21st birthday. That was a game changer. The moment he arrived on the island paradise, he fell in love with its culture, language and a very special Balinese woman. They eloped and came back to Australia where Danial studied Indonesian and then became an Indonesian teacher; a career that brought him to Darwin. Here he studied law, did a PhD in Aboriginal law and religion and lectured at Charles Darwin University. Danial is now embarking on a career in politics that will see him contest the seat of Casuarina in the next Territory election for the new Territory Alliance Party.
