|Mabo Day and Sorry Day|
As you begin to prepare for exams take a moment as you enter the library and reflect on the of triumph and tribulation of the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. The writer wishes you to take strength from the notion of National Reconciliation Week and that myself and my ancestors are here encouraging you to push through this challenging period .
This Friday the 3rd of June is Mabo Day. It commemorates the handing down of the High Court decision on the Mabo land rights case and the memory of Mr Eddie Koiki Mabo who is recognised as one of the key members of this event. On this day the case of the five plaintiffs from Mer finally was delivered in their favour. Portions of Murray (also known as Mer in traditional language) Island were recognised as still being owned by those plaintiffs in Australian law through the recognition of prior and still continuing cultural practices and laws. Our library is honoured to be named after Mr Mabo who had worked here at the university.
|Mr Mabo and Torres Strait Island Special Collection items|
The Mabo library has placed on display some of our main collection relating to Mr Mabo, the land rights issues and the Stolen Generation. We have also items from our Special Collections that focus on our Torres Strait Island materials on display.