02/06/2026
On 3 June, Australians commemorate Mabo Day, marking the anniversary of the historic Mabo decision.
Eddie Mabo of Mer island in the Torres Strait spent a decade seeking official recognition of his people’s ownership of Mer and on 3 June 1992, the High Court of Australia agreed, rejecting the doctrine that Australia was terra nullius (land belonging to no-one) at the time of European settlement.
“For me, Dad’s legacy is that through strength of culture and commitment you can achieve anything. People who are fighting for their own native title have to believe in themselves and their culture because that is what will help them succeed.
“His strength was that he knew who he was as a man, where he was from and that the fight he was doing was right. He always knew the land was his,” - Gail Mabo
