CELEBRATE MABO DAY
A BUMPER program is planned for today to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Australian High Court’s Mabo decision.
Several thousand people are expected to converge on Jezzine Barracks for the free event which kicks off at midday.
The event is suitable for all ages and is alcohol and smoke free. It will feature, music, dancing, culture and lots of food.
Acts including John Butler, Neil Murray and Shane Howard will perform on the main stage.
Out There production owner and event organiser Andy Lopez who has family links with the Mabos said it was a privilege to be organis- ing an event for such a historic occasion.
“It’s an incredibly significant day in Australian history and in the pathway towards reconciliation,” he said.
“It’s great to be part of a celebration like this because the day is so significant. Jezzine is such a beautiful venue and the weather is supposed to be nice so I’d encourage everyone to come on down.”
The landmark ruling in 1992 permanently changed land use and race relations by recognising that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples had rights to the land.
It became known as the Mabo decision, named after Eddie Mabo who challenged the Australian legal system and fought for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to be recognised as traditional owners of their land.
Torres Strait Islander hiphop artist Patrick Mau will also release a song today titled Koiki which is based on a song by Eddie Mabo’s daughter Gail Mabo that she wrote as an ode to her late father.
Ms Mabo approached the artist to reinvigorate the song to make it an anthem for the High Court’s landmark ruling.
“Koiki was my father’s tribal name, the name everyone in the Torres Straits called him,” she said.
“This song tells the story of his journey, how he planted the seed for us to reclaim our heritage and for our children to grow up proud and strong, to know their place in history and know this land is where they belong, now and forever.”
Mr Mau said he was honoured to be releasing the song and he would like to see Mabo Day made a national holiday.
“For years we’ve discussed that many indigenous and non- indigenous people want to see the date, June 3, become a national holiday,” he said.
“On the 25th anniversary we feel we have waited long enough.”