why did eddie mabo leave murray island

Full Answer

How did Eddie Mabo change Australia?

The case was brought by Eddie Mabo, an Indigenous man from Murray Island in Queensland. Mabo's fight for justice changed Australian law forever, and paved the way for reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. Eddie Mabo was born on the Murray Islands in 1936.

What happened to Mabo on Murray Island?

From Thursday Island, Mabo sent a series of requests by telegram, to the Chairman of the Murray Island Council. But the Chairman continued to prohibit him, or his family, from entering Murray Island.

What was the significance of Mabo v Queensland?

In 1992, the High Court of Australia delivered a landmark decision in the case of Mabo v Queensland. This case was significant because it recognized the existence of Native Title – the legal right of Indigenous people to their traditional lands.

What did Eddie Koiki Mabo do for Aboriginal people?

The following year the Parliament of Australia passed the Native Title Act 1993 to create a system for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to make a native title claim over their lands. Eddie Koiki Mabo has been rightfully recognised for his landmark work.

Where did Eddie Mabo go after he was exiled?

In the 1950's Eddie worked on various trochus fishing luggers out of Mer. At the age of seventeen he was exiled from Mer by the Island Council. Eddie moved to the mainland and worked at various labouring jobs and at the age of twenty three he married Bonnie Nehow and they had 10 children.

Who is Eddie Mabo and what was he fighting for?

It was on 3 June 1992 that the Australian High Court overturned more than 200 years of white domination of land ownership. The victory was largely down to one indigenous man called Eddie Mabo. That's why the legal decision is universally known as "Mabo".

How did people react to the Mabo decision?

Many celebrated a huge victory for justice for Indigenous Australians. Some of this enthusiasm foresaw a new age of reconciliation, perhaps even a new republican constitution. But, increasingly, in the months after the decision, many opposed what they saw as the decision's support for the “white guilt industry”.

What challenges did Eddie Mabo face?

He had on occasions great difficulty in travelling to Melbourne or Brisbane or Murray Island to look after the lawyers and assist them in the development of evidence and having conferences, in making decisions which he was central to being involved in, to getting the instructions of the community, to understanding the ...

Who started the Stolen Generation?

The Stolen Generations refers to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who were removed from their families between 1910 and 1970. This was done by Australian federal and state government agencies and church missions, through a policy of assimilation.

How much land is under native title?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' rights and interests in land are formally recognised over around 50 per cent of Australia's land mass.

Which Aboriginal Australian fought and won the right to native title?

2. The man behind the fight. The Mabo decision was named after Torres Strait Islander Eddie 'Koiki' Mabo who led the fight to change land laws to recognise Indigenous connection and traditional ownership of land in Australia.

WHO declared Australia terra nullius?

Governor Richard BourkeThe Proclamation of NSW Governor Richard Bourke in 1835 implemented the legal principle of terra nullius in Australian law as the basis for British settlement. This was 47 years after the arrival of the First Fleet.

What was bad about the Mabo decision?

One consequence of the Mabo decision is that the task of establishing native title through litigation is difficult, time consuming and expensive.

Is Eddie Mabo on the 50 cent coin?

The face of Eddie Mabo is etched into the newest 50 cent coin, as the Royal Australian Mint commemorates 50 years since the 1967 referendum and 25 years since the Mabo decision.

Why was Eddie Mabo exiled?

On 2 February 1956 the Murray Islands Court found Mabo guilty of drinking alcohol and exiled him for one year in accordance with community by-laws. He worked aboard fishing vessels until 1957 and then as a cane cutter and railway fettler in Queensland.

What does the Aboriginal flag look like?

The flag's design consists of a coloured rectangle divided in half horizontally. The top half of the flag is black to symbolise Aboriginal people. The red in the lower half stands for the earth and the colour of ochre, which has ceremonial significance. The circle of yellow in the centre of the flag represents the sun.

What did Eddie Mabo advocate for?

Throughout his life Mabo had demonstrated initiative, originality, determination, intelligence, and commitment to obtaining justice for Indigenous Australians and recognition of the traditional land rights of his family and people. Following his death, and in the wake of Mabo No. 2, he became a household name.

What is the Mabo decision and why is it important?

The Mabo decision acknowledged the traditional rights of Indigenous people to their land and waters, and paved the way for native title in Australia. It also recognised that Indigenous people occupied Australia for tens of thousands of years before the British arrived in 1788.

Why was the Mabo decision in 1992 important?

The Mabo decision altered the foundation of land law in Australia by overturning the doctrine of terra nullius (land belonging to no-one) on which British claims to possession of Australia were based. This recognition inserted the legal doctrine of native title into Australian law.

Where is Eddie Mabo?

About Eddie Mabo. Edward Koiki Mabo was born on 29 June 1936. He was a Meriam man and grew up on Mer, part of the Murray Island Group in the Torres Strait. In 1959, he moved to mainland Queensland, working on pearling vessels and as a labourer.

How did Eddie Koiki Mabo die?

Eddie Koiki Mabo died of cancer on 21 January 1991, before the case was resolved.

When was Mabo v Queensland ruled invalid?

On 8 December 1988, the High Court ruled this legislation invalid. This led to the subsequent High Court case, Mabo v Queensland (No 2), which was to determine the matter of the plaintiffs' land rights. On 3 June 1992, the High Court of Australia ruled in favour of limited native title.

When was Mabo v Queensland?

Mabo v Queensland (No 1) was heard in 1986 and 1988. However, in the lead-up to these hearings, the Parliament of Queensland passed the Queensland Coast Islands Declaratory Act 1985, which asserted that, upon being annexed by the Queensland Government in 1879, 'the islands were vested in the Crown … freed from all other rights, ...

What did the Keating government do to the Mabo decision?

The Keating government gave effect to the Mabo decision by introducing the Native Title Act 1993, which facilitated the process of recognising native title.

What did Eddie Mabo die of?

Death and Mabo decision. On 21 January 1992, Eddie Mabo died of cancer at the age of 55. Five months later, on 3 June 1992, the High Court announced its historic decision to overturn the legal doctrine of terra nullius, which defined land which was supposedly "uninhabited" as liable for government seizure.

Who adopted Mabo?

Mabo was born Edward Koiki Sambo but changed his surname to Mabo when he was adopted by his uncle, Benny Mabo. This adoption was part of traditional Torres Strait Islander adoption practices. He was born on the island of Mer ( Murray Island) in the Torres Strait between mainland Queensland and Papua New Guinea.

When did Bonita Mabo die?

Bonita Mabo died in Townsville on 26 November 2018, aged 75, just days after receiving an honorary doctorate of letters from James Cook University for her contributions to indigenous rights and human rights. Mabo's nephew was Anglican Bishop Saibo Mabo.

Where was Mabo born?

This adoption was part of traditional Torres Strait Islander adoption practices. He was born on the island of Mer ( Murray Island) in the Torres Strait between mainland Queensland and Papua New Guinea.

When is Mabo Day?

Mabo Day is an official holiday in the Torres Shire, celebrated on 3 June. On 10 June 2012, Mabo, a television drama based on Mabo's life, was broadcast on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

Who designed the Mabo coin?

It was designed by his granddaughter Boneta-Marie Mabo and released in National Reconciliation Week.

Who was the historian who was talking with Mabo?

The time Mabo spent on the campus had a massive impact on his life. In 1974, he was talking with James Cook University historians Noel Loos and Henry Reynolds, and Loos recalls: we were having lunch one day in Reynolds' office when Koiki was just speaking about his land back on Mer, or Murray Island.

What was the significance of Mabo v. Queensland?

2), judgments of the High Court inserted the legal doctrine of native title into Australian law. The High Court recognised the fact that Indigenous peoples had lived in Australia for thousands of years and enjoyed rights to their land according to their own laws and customs.

Where did the hearings take place in the Mabo case?

Justice Moynihan resumed the hearing of the facts in the case presented by Eddie Mabo and the people of Mer with sittings taking place on Murray Island as well as on the mainland.

What was the Mabo case?

Key points. The Mabo Case was a significant legal case in Australia that recognised the land rights of the Meriam people, traditional owners of the Murray Islands (which include the islands of Mer, Dauer and Waier) in the Torres Strait. The Mabo Case was successful in overturning the myth that at the time of colonisation Australia was ‘terra ...

Why did Queensland pass the Coast Islands Declaratory Act?

The Queensland Parliament passed the Queensland Coast Islands Declaratory Act 1985 in an attempt to pre-empt the Meriam peoples’ case. The aim of the legislation was to retrospectively extinguish the claimed rights of the Meriam people to the Murray Islands.

Who were the men in the Meriam case?

Legal proceedings for the case began on 20 May 1982, when a group of four Meriam men, Eddie Koiki Mabo, Reverend David Passi, Sam Passi, James Rice and one Meriam women, Celuia Mapo Sale, brought an action against the State of Queensland and the Commonwealth of Australia, in the High Court, claiming 'native title' to the Murray Islands.

What was the assumption that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples had no concept of land ownership before the?

On the assumption that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples had no concept of land ownership before the arrival of British colonisers in 1788 (terra nullius). That sovereignty delivered complete ownership of all land in the new Colony to the Crown, abolishing any existing rights that may have existed previously.

Who were the five Meriam people who mounted the Mabo case?

The five Meriam people who mounted the case were Eddie Koiki Mabo, Reverend David Passi , Sam Passi , James Rice and one Meriam women, Celuia Mapo Sale. Eddie Koiki Mabo was the first named plaintiff and the case became known as the Mabo Case.

When did the Meriam people settle in Queensland?

Europeans began to settle on the island in 1871 and the Queensland Government began to annex the islands in 1872. By 1879 they had taken control of the majority of the remaining islands in the Torres Strait. The Meriam people continued to live there but— until the Mabo decision—their land was deemed to be owned by the Crown.

What is Mabo's spear made of?

This spear is typical of the Torres Strait Islands and is made from a length of bamboo with wire prongs at the end. In the past the prongs were made of sharpened wood.

What was the Meriam case?

Known as the ‘Mabo case’, the High Court of Australia ruled that the Meriam people had had a continuing occupation and connection with their land since before white settlement and that they had the right to have their ownership recognised in law under the concept of ‘native title’.

Who was Jack Wailu?

Jack Wailu was an Elder and an important keeper of customs on Mer. He was also a friend of Mabo and gave evidence in support of Mabo’s claim to the High Court. In 1995, after Mabo’s tombstone in Townsville was vandalised, his family decided to take his remains back to Mer, and Wailu played a prominent role in the burial ceremonies.

When was the Mabo case?

Mabo decision. 1992: High Court decision in Mabo case recognises native title. On 3 June 1992 the High Court of Australia recognised that a group of Torres Strait Islanders, led by Eddie Mabo, held ownership of Mer (Murray Island). In acknowledging the traditional rights of the Meriam people to their land, the court also held ...

What is the significance of the Mabo case?

Significance of Mabo. The judgements of the High Court of Australia in the Mabo case No. 2 introduced the principle of native title into the Australian legal system. In acknowledging the traditional rights of the Meriam people to their land, the court also held that native title existed for all Indigenous people.

When was Mabo 20 years on?

Mabo 20 years on: a celebration. Members of the community and politicians celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Mabo High Court decision on 3 June 1992 which recognised that Eddie Koiki Mabo and others held native title to land on Murray Island (Mer) in the Torres Strait. Open player in a new tab. Presenters:

How many clans are there on Mer?

The evidence presented included proof that the eight clans of Mer (Murray Island) have occupied clearly defined territories on the island for hundreds of years, and proved the continuity of custom on Mer.

When did the Meriam challenge the law?

In February 1986, the Meriam challenged the legislation and in December 1988 the High Court ruled in the Mabo No. 1 case that the Act contravened the Commonwealth Racial Discrimination Act 1975. This enabled the High Court to begin hearing Mabo No. 2, the Meriam’s land rights case. On 3 June 1992, six of the seven judges agreed ...

What did Governor Bourke say about trespassers?

However, Governor Bourke’s Proclamation of 10 October that year stated that people found dwelling on land without the authority of the government would be considered trespassers.

Which court resolved the Torres Strait Islands Coastal Islands Act 1985?

The High Court resolved that the Supreme Court of Queensland should determine the parameters of the case. While this decision was underway, the Queensland Parliament passed the Torres Strait Islands Coastal Islands Act 1985, which ‘extinguished without compensation’ any Torres Strait Islander claims to their traditional lands. ...

How did Koiki Mabo die?

On 21 January 1992, nearly ten years after beginning their legal claim in the High Court of Australia, Eddie Koiki Mabo passed away from cancer aged fifty-six. On 3 June 1992, the High Court of Australia decided in favour of Eddie Koiki Mabo and his fellow plaintiffs.

What did the Mabo case show?

As part of his testimony during the case he explained how his grandfather had taken him to the village of Las and shown him his land boundaries and his fish traps. His grandfather explained how meriba ged, or our land, came to be handed down through five generations to his father.

How old was Koiki Mabo when he learned the Malo initiation?

That when Mabo himself was nine or ten years old, he was taken with other boys to learn dances and songs such as that of Gelam, who formed the isle of Mer in the shape of a dugong, and the history of Malo. 2 This would become an important story in Koiki Mabo’s landmark legal case.

What was Koiki's role in the Torres Strait?

In 1975, Koiki was asked to join the National Aboriginal Education Committee (NAEC), an advisory body to the Commonwealth Education Department which he served on for three years. Always active in defense of Torres Strait Islander rights, he also chaired the Torres Strait Border Action Committee in Townsville.

Why was Koiki denied the right to return to his homeland?

Sadly, he would later be denied the right to return to his homelands because of his active campaigning. One of Koiki and Bonita’s daughters, Gail Mabo, recalls: ‘In 1972 my family had planned to visit Mer. My father had hoped to visit his father, Benny Mabo, who was suffering from tuberculosis.

When was Koiki Mabo awarded the Human Rights Medal?

Eddie Koiki Mabo has been rightfully recognised for his landmark work. Unfortunately this recognition only occurred after his death. 1992: awarded the Australian Human Rights Medal along with his fellow plaintiffs ‘in recognition of their long and determined battle to gain justice for their people’.

Why is Mabo Day celebrated?

Mabo day: Celebrated on 3 June each year to commemorate his courageous efforts to overturn the fiction of terra nullius.

Overview

Edward Koiki Mabo (né Sambo; 29 June 1936 – 21 January 1992) was an Indigenous Australian man from the Torres Strait Islands known for his role in campaigning for Indigenous land rights in Australia, in particular the landmark decision of the High Court of Australia that overturned the legal doctrine of terra nullius ("nobody's land") that had previously characterised Australian law with regard to land and title. High court judges considering the case Mabo v Queensland (No 2) found …

Early life and family

Career

Land rights advocate

Death and Mabo decision

Legacy

See also

Further reading