08 MABO DAY
THURSDAY 15 JUNE 2023 TORRES NEWS
Melbourne marks Mabo Day in style BY VELMA GARA
Brian Bero. Pic by Brian Bero.
Kee’ahn. Pic by Brian Bero.
Mabo Day in Melbourne had it all – food, dance and community spirit to celebrate both Eddie Koiki Mabo and his wife, Bonita, and what they had achieved. Celebrations began with a gathering hosted by Pauline Cassady. Concert MC Lisa Maza said it was day filled with joy and gratitude. “So happy, it was like one big family gathering,” she said. Big Eso Restaurant, owned by Nornie Bero’s business Mabu Mabu, then had a luncheon with Ailan food on the menu – coconut curry fish, fried fish, damper, sop sop, semurr and scones. Ms Bero said she wanted to make a contribution to the community and asked what role models they were for someone like her. “The feedback was fantastic,” she said. “There’s a good following and they [non-Indigenous people] enjoyed the different flavours. “It was an opportunity to showcase our unique culture and traditions are really strong with us.” Lastly, that evening was the Mabo Concert with performances by the Gerib Sik Dance Team from Cairns, Jaran Dancers from the Gold Coast, Luke Captain and Kee’ahn, held at The Edge in Federation Square. Speaking at the concert, lawyer Brian Bero asked how we can progress on what Uncle Koiki and the plaintiffs had achieved. “How do we empower our people?” he said. “Sea claims were successful and have been determined now. “How can we leverage these two to generate the health and wealth of our people and economy in the Torres Strait.” Mr Bero said there was plenty of potential for islands and the mainland to put together commercial ventures such as fishing and renewable energy projects. He also spoke of the anniversary of the Black Community School and said Uncle Koiki was very progressive back in the day, introducing culture, languages and dances into the school curriculum.
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Lisa Maza, Erin Jia & Rachael Maza. Pic supplied by Kaylynn Zaro.
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Gerib Sik Dance Team with Mabu Mabu owner, Nornie Bero. Pic supplied by Mabu Mabu.
Jaran Dancer. Pic by Brian Bero.
Gerib Sik Dance Team. Pic by Brian Bero.
Eddie Mabo acknowledged Eddie Mabo’s decade-long battle for rights led to one of the most important acts of recognition in Australia’s legal history Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney says. “Today we honour Eddie Koiki Mabo, whose work led to the legal acknowledgement of a historical fact – that Indigenous Australians’ connection to land existed for thousands of years prior to 1788 and was not extinguished by colonisation,” she said. “To truly honour Eddie Mabo’s memory, we must continue our commitment to closing the gap in education, healthcare, life expectancy and justice. “Recognition through Voice will be a crucial next step in delivering practical change that improves the lives of First Nations Australians. “I believe Australians are ready to update our constitution in a way that will celebrate our history and the ongoing relationship of Indigenous Australians with this land, and drive change that will build a better future for all of us.” Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said the hopes and dreams the
Mabo victory unleashed would not be fulfilled until the gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples was closed. “And we will not have completed Eddie Koiki Mabo’s fight until we have fully embraced the generous offer of the Uluru Statement from the Heart for a true partnership to pursue meaningful reconciliation as a nation,” he said. Assistant Minister for Indigenous Australians Senator Malarndirri McCarthy took the opportunity to thank Native Title holders who do their best for kin and country. “The Mabo case shows how far we have come together as a nation in so many ways, and provides hope to continue this journey for a better future ahead for our young people,” she said. Special Envoy for Reconciliation and the Implementation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart Senator Patrick Dodson said it was a great tragedy that Eddie Mabo never lived to know the outcome of his High Court action. “But First Nations people will forever remember and honour his legacy,” he said.
