Celebrating 25 years since the Mabo decision On 3 June 2017, Australians commemorated 25 years since the Mabo High Court decision, which recognised that Indigenous people occupied the country before the British arrived. The historic legal victory overturned the concept of terra nullius and paved the way for the Native Title Act, which recognises the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people over their country. On Mer, or Murray Island, the place that was the subject of the Mabo case, one hundred guests flew in to commemorate and celebrate the anniversary. NITV news reported that Islander leaders came together to celebrate the anniversary and to discuss a way forward for Indigenous sovereignty. They called for a Public Holiday on Mabo Day each year to mark its significance. A major ceremony featured the eight clans of Murray Island and the Federal Minister for Aboriginal Affairs lay a wreath and unveiled a renovated tombstone for Eddie “Koiki” Mabo. In Townsville, where Eddie Mabo lived for much of his life, celebrations took place with a Community in Unity event in the suburb of Rasmussen. The celebration featured traditional Islander dance and games, as well as food and cultural, art and information stalls. In central Townsville, the Mabo family, led by Gail Mabo, hosted a public event at Jezzine Barracks on 3 June. With a blue sky and the backdrop of Townsville’s striking hills, Shane Howard (Goanna), John Butler, Rochelle Pitt + Big T, Neil Murray and Deline Briscoe as well as traditional cultural dancers entertained a large crowd. On the eve of June 3, the Mabo family hosted a Mabo formal dinner, which featured traditional Islander dancing and food as well as a performance by Neil Murray. The night featured addresses by Linda Burney MP, Australia’s first woman Federal member of Parliament, and Journalist Jeff McMullin, a long-time supporter of Indigenous advancement.
She recalled the moment when she heard the decision of the high court on the radio, and realised what it meant. “Most significantly, most astoundingly, the legal doctrine of terra nullius, the way in which the British took our country, that then is dead. Terra Nullius is a legal fiction.” In his speech, Jeff McMullin explored what this country might look like if Eddie’s vision was fulfilled. He said that the hope that Mabo represents remains important. “So often we’ve had milestones, hope and lots of rhetoric, but in my view that raising of hope, the trust, is so quickly followed by political treachery,” he said. “We need to go back to the hope that Eddie Mabo instilled in others who went with him on the journey. To build a hopeful vision that would include everyone and overcome division and move us to true greatness. Surely the next foundation stone in the building of a great society would be recognition of the most ancient sovereignty that has existed here for time immemorial,” Mr McMullin told the audience at the Mabo Dinner. The Welcome to Country at that event was presented by Professor Gracelyn Smallwood, who later told Aboriginal Way that she recalled the days when she first met Eddie Koiki Mabo. “I was a student at James Cook University when Uncle Koiki Mabo was the gardener. I used to see him regularly watering the plants, I heard that he was growing some local traditional foods there. But then I would watch him go to the library. I believe Uncle Koiki spent more time in the library than I did. “Uncle Koiki Mabo was like an uncle to me. Uncle Koiki and his wife, Aunty Bonita, they lived in such low socio economic conditions, but they welcomed everyone to their home, they always had stew and rice for them,” she said.
Linda Burney told the audience that the Mabo decision was a momentous one for Australia.
At James Cook University, Eddie Mabo became a friend of historian Henry Reynolds, who was known for his groundbreaking work on the violence and conflict involved in the colonisation of Australia and who encouraged Eddie Mabo to take his claim to court.
“It was not just a blip in 1992 of one High Court decision. What this decision did, it changed the face of this country. It changed the face of land tenure in Australia,” she said.
“Professor Henry Reynolds and Dr Noel Lewis were very pro talking about sovereignty and native title. I was privileged to be a student of theirs,” Professor Smallwood said.
This page, left to right from top left: Milliana Davey and Rebecca Kaddy at Unity in Community event; Traditional Islander weaving demonstration at Community in Unity event; Uncle Gabez Tapan and Aicey Day; Emily Day and Lahana Zaro at Unity in Community; Families celebrate at Community in Unity. Opposite page, left to right from top left: Community in Unity celebration of Mabo Day; Gail Mabo at Mabo Day Celebrations in Townsville; Families at the Community in Unity event; Bonita Mabo speaks to NITV’s Karla Grant; Families at the Mabo Day Celebrations in Townsville; Families at the Mabo Day Celebrations in Townsville; Tony Mola, Tayiesha Tapim-Savage, Vicky Tapim at Community in Unity; Traditional Islander dancing at Mabo Day Celebrations; Mabo Day Celebrations at Jezzine Barracks in Townsville: Linda Burney MP addresses Mabo Dinner; Traditional Islander dancer, Mabo Dinner.
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Aboriginal Way, Winter 2017
