Twentyfive years ago on 3 june 1992, the high court handed down its judgement in the mabo case. Bonita mabo was born in halifax, queensland, one of 10 children. Eddie koiki mabo he was a fighter for equal rights, a rebel, a freethinker, a restless spirit, a reformer who saw far into the future and far into the past. However, it wasnt until 1992, in the mabo judgment, that the high court of australia determined that indigenous peoples rights over their lands did survive colonisation. Eddie koiki mabo was shocked to discover that the ownership of land his ancestors passed down on murray island in the torres strait islands for over 15 generations was not legally recognized. Eddie koiki mabo left and jack wailu on the torres strait island of mer.
Mabo was exiled from the island when he was 16, and worked across northern queensland and the torres strait. Papers and discussion from the conference were published in e. He was a meriam man and grew up on mer, part of the murray island group in the torres. Eddie mabo, a townsville citizen from mur murray island, launched a lands rights claim for his people for. As we celebrate the courage and the achievements of eddie. They bypassed state and federal governments, and went straight to the high court of australia. However, eddie mabo and his supporters chose another route.
Eddie koiki mabo australian institute of aboriginal and. The high court finalized the case by overturning terra nullius doctrine on june 3, 1992. She was the wife of eddie mabo until his death in 1992. The judgments of the high court in the mabo case inserted the legal doctrine of native title into australian law. Gail mabo, daughter of eddie mado, is a special guest at the dvd. It covers his years as a boy on the island of mer through to his struggle within the union cause and the black rights movment.
His surname was changed from sambo to mabo and from an early age, koiki was taught about his familys land. The mabo decision in the high court 80 days that changed. On 20 may 1982, eddie koiki mabo, sam passi, david passi, celuia mapo salee and james rice began their legal claim for ownership of their lands on the island of mer in the torres strait between australia. Eddie koiki mabo grew up on the island of his forefathers, mer or murray island in the torres strait. This is a day of particular significance for torres strait islander australians. Priceless eddie mabo self portrait held at aiatsis abc. Canberra, high court decision, 03061992, mabo case, mabo judgement, mason, chief justice anthony, native title act 1993. Benny mabo, eddies uncle, and his wife, maiga, adopted the baby and his name was changed to eddie koiki mabo. Students will construct a biography on eddie koiki mabo or another significant aboriginal or torres strait islander individual that has helped shaped australias history. Eddie koiki mabo 19361992 was a meriam man from the island of mer murray island in the torres strait. Bryan a keoncohen island of mer murray torres straits. Eddie mabo s contribution to australia, and what he did to benefit the country. Eddie koiki mabo was a torres strait islander who believed australian laws on land ownership were wrong and fought to. Eddie koiki mabo 19361992 was a meriam man from the island of mer murray island in the torres.
Edward koiki mabo 19361992, torres strait islander community leader and land rights campaigner, was born on 29 june 1936 at las, on mer, in the murray group of islands, queensland, the fourth surviving child of murray islandsborn parents robert zesou sambo, seaman, and his wife annie poipe, nee mabo. Eddie mabo was born on the 29th of june 1936, he was born on the island of mer in the torres strait. I would not be inclined to act on his evidence on a matter bearing his selfinterest justice moynihan if i appeal its about eddie mabos land. A timeline created with timetoasts interactive timeline maker. Koiki eddie mabo 193792, then living in townsville, spoke at the conference about land rights in the torres strait. Eddie koiki mabo was born on the murray island, in the torres strait on june 29, 1936. Theyve tried direct resistance, street campaigns, political lobbying, industrial action. Edward koiki mabo was born on mer murray island in 1936. This meant that benny could pass on his land to eddie when he died. Oct 04, 2015 edward koiki mabo 1936 1992 was a meriam man from the island of mer murray island in the torres straits, whose successful legal case, brought in the high court of australia, ensured the recognition of traditional land rights for australian i. Online only issued 23 may 2002 coral dow, informationelinks social policy group. Eddie koiki mabo was shocked to discover that the ownership of land his ancestors passed.
Five things you should know about the mabo decision the. As a torres strait islander who campaigned for indigenous land rights, eddie koiki mabos work led to an important decision by the high court. June 3, 2017 marks 25 years since the historic mabo decision, overturning the terra nullius fiction, paving the way for native title land rights, and it all started with one man eddie koiki. Here, largely in his own words, is the incredible life story of edward koiki mabo, from his childhood on the island of mer through to his struggle within the union cause and the black rights movement as well as the historic high court nativetitle decision, handed down just months after mabo died, which destroyed forever the concept of terra nullius.
Eddie mabos birth eddie mabo was born on the 29th of june 1936, he was born on the island of mer in the torres strait. Eddie koiki mabo was born on murray island in the torres strait, but lived most of his life in exile. Jun 04, 2017 australian journalist jeff mcmullen delivered the following speech to 25th anniversary mabo celebration in townsville tonight. Foundations of the legal system, 2nd ed, melbourne, oxford university press, 2009, pp. In particular, he became famous for his role in an historic decision by the high court of australia in 1992, which overturned the idea that australia was. The high court held that the doctrine of terra nullius, which imported all laws of england to a new land, did not apply in circumstances where there were already inhabitants present even if those inhabitants had been regarded at. Mabo day marks the anniversary of the high court of australias judgement in 1992 in the mabo case. Mau powers latest track koiki honours the mabo legacy nitv. Through the long ten years of eddie fighting for the land rights and the legal definition of. This is a day of particular significance for torres strait islander. Unscramble the dates and descriptions and create your own timeline.
Eddie mabo and other torres strait islanders challenge the constitutional validity of the queensland coast island declaratory act. Edward koiki mabo, a meriam man from the island of mer murray island in the torres straits, was a key plaintiff in a land rights case in the high court of australia, today referred to as the mabo case. Born in 1936, he would be known as man who fought for the first australians and there rights. Koiki mabo and his fellow plaintiffs that murray islanders were the traditional owners of land on the island of mer in the torres strait. It provides for the justification of any past allowances of land that may otherwise have been unacceptable because of the existence of native title. Exiled from murray island murray island courts found him. Under torres strait islander law, benny mabo was now eddies father. Mabo e01 sound recordings collected by eddie koiki mabo, 1975.
Eddie koiki mabo was born on 29 june, 1936, on the island of mer murray island in the torres strait. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of mabo day the nfsa creates a special dvd for our black screen program to lend to communities around australia. Edward koiki mabo 1936 1992 was a meriam man from the island of mer murray island in the torres straits, whose successful legal case, brought in the high court of australia. I would not be inclined to act on his evidence on a matter bearing his selfinterest.
National archives of australiaaap april 26, 2017 australian politics explainer. Its history dates back to 1967 and it shows, how a small. The mabo decision was named after torres strait islander eddie koiki mabo who led the fight to change land laws to recognise indigenous. Mastering two cultures a personal perspective noel loos edward koiki mabo was a meriam man from one of the most remote islands in the torres strait, murray island he decide. Born on the australian island of mer in 1936, edward koiki mabo was an energetic campaigner for the rights of indigenous people and their claim to the lands declared terra nullius, or. On 3 june 1992, the high court of australia acknowledged that mabo and his people had traditional land ownership agreements and that it was up to the people of mer island to determine who owned.
Jun 03, 2017 june 3, 2017 marks 25 years since the historic mabo decision, overturning the terra nullius fiction, paving the way for native title land rights, and it all started with one man eddie koiki. Torres strait islander eddie koiki mabo, who is at the time working as a gardener at james cook university in townsville, finds out he does not. Mabo is the story of how one man fought the system and won, how one man affected the lives of all his people. Mabo life of an island man is the story of a small island and an extraordinary man. She was an australian south sea islander of nivanuatu descent whose ancestors were blackbirded to work in the sugar cane. Here, largely in his own words, is the incredible life story of edward koiki mabo, from his childhood on the island of mer through to his struggle within the union cause and the black rights movement as well as. Jul 10, 2019 eddie koiki mabo left and jack wailu on the torres strait island of mer. Here for the first time is the life story of edward koiki mabo, told largely in his own words. Education program at the townsville college of advanced education later. Mabo 2012 biography, drama australia mabo tells the story of one of australias national heroes eddie koiki mabo, the torres strait islander who left school at age 15, yet spearheaded the high court challenge that overthrew the fiction of terra nullius.
The mabo family asked me to paint you a picture of how australiamore. Mabothe native title revolutiondelves into the mabo legal case. Edward koiki mabo 19361992, torres strait islander community leader and land rights campaigner, was born on 29 june 1936 at las, on mer, in the murray group of islands, queensland, the. Eddie koiki mabo why should eddie mabo be in the hall of heroes. Mabo e01 sound recordings collected by eddie koiki mabo. One of the attendees of the conference was a lawyer who suggested mabo to have a test case related to the land. Koiki i also thought about how my wife the most important person in my life has stuck to me over many hardships and hurdles, but somehow we made it. Mabo news, research and analysis the conversation page 1. His name has become synonymous with aboriginal and torres strait islander land rights because he was a key plantiff in the mabo case. His mother died giving birth and he was adopted by his uncle, benny mabo.
Australian journalist jeff mcmullen delivered the following speech to 25th anniversary mabo celebration in townsville tonight. Born on the australian island of mer in 1936, edward koiki mabo was an energetic campaigner for the rights of indigenous people and their claim to the lands declared terra nullius, or belonging to. Engage your students during remote learning with video readalouds. Biography edward koiki eddie mabo indigenous australia. Eddie mabo mad it possible for legislation to be passed native title act as shown in source 2 which today. The mabo decision in the high court was the culmination of a legal battle started ten years earlier by a group of plaintiffs from the tiny torres strait island of mer to establish their. There are two sections referring to the aboriginal people that marginalises. Eddie mabo is the first plaintiff in a group action. Eddie mabo, in my view, is quite capable of tailoring his story to whatever shape he perceives will advance his cause.
As we celebrate the courage and the achievements of eddie koiki mabo we all walk in his determined footsteps in our hope for a brighter future. It covers his years as a boy on the island of mer through to his struggle within the union cause and the black rights. Google maps contents eddie koiki mabo 1 a life of community leadership 2 mabo. Eddie mabos contribution to australia, and what he did to benefit the country. Company has been renowned for years as a reliable and trustworthy business partner. He became well known for campaigning for indigenous land rights. Mabo day mabo day marks the anniversary of the high court of australias judgement in 1992 in the mabo case. Mabo familythe children of eddie and bonita mabo are eddie jnr, maria jessie, bethel, gail, mal, malita, celuia, mario, wannee and ezra eddie maboleading plaintiff in the mabo legal case father dave passiplaintiff in the mabo legal case sam passiwitness in the mabo legal case james riceplaintiff in the mabo legal case. Eddie koiki mabo timeline jcu australia james cook university.
In recognising the traditional rights of the meriam people to their islands in the eastern torres strait, the court also held that native title existed for all indigenous people in australia prior to cooks instructions and the establishment of the british colony of new south wales. Edward koiki mabo 19361992, torres strait islander community leader and. Timelineevents that led to the 1967 referendum national library. Mabo v queensland no 2 commonly known as mabo was a landmark high court of australia decision in 1992 recognising native title in australia for the first time. Eddie koiki mabos name is synonymous with native title rights. Mau powers latest track koiki honours the mabo legacy. Mabo day commemorates eddie koiki mabo and his decadelong effort to make the australian government officially recognise that his people own mer island.
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