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Papers of Eddie Mabo, 1943-1992 (bulk 1972-1992) [manuscript]
Bib ID 612970
Format ManuscriptManuscript
Author Mabo, Eddie, 1936-1992
Related Online
Resources
Finding aid  |  UNESCO Memory of the World Register
Access Conditions Part available for research; part requires permission for research. Not for loan. 
Description [1943-1992] 
5 m. (28 boxes) + 2 fol. boxes + 1 folio. 
Summary

The papers have been arranged into the following series: 1. Diaries, 1976, 1985-92. 2. Employment and personal, 1943, 1959-92. 3. Business ventures, 1968-91. 4. Black Community School, Townsville, 1973-84. 5. Yumba Meta Housing Association, 1973-82. 6. National Aboriginal Education Committee, 1980-87. 7. Diploma of Teaching Course, Townsville C.A.E./James Cook University, 1981-84. 8. Land claim, 1982-92. 9. Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies, 1978-89. 10. ABIS Community Co-operative Society Limited, 1985-87. 11. Murray Island Community Council, 1985-91. 12. Moomba Festival, 1986-87. 13. 5th Festival of Pacific Arts, Townsville, 1986-88. 14. Magani Malu Kes/Torres Strait independence movement, 1980-91. 15. Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander Commission, 1989-90. 16. Other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander related activities, 1981-91. 17. Aboriginal legal aid services, 1974-87 18. Printed material, 1978-89.

Biography/History Eddie Mabo was a Torres Strait Islander human rights and land rights activist. He worked as director of the Townsville Black Community School, 1973-1983. Edward (Eddie) Koiki Mabo (1936-1992) dedicated his life to overturning the decision of Lieutenant James Cook to take possession of the east coast of Australia in the name of King George III. Originally working on railways and sugar plantations, Mabo gained an education and became an activist for black rights after he realised that his ancestral land, despite his traditional ties, belonged to the Crown. Rejecting the direct action of the land rights movement, Mabo targeted the legal justification for the land appropriation. In 1982, he and four other Murray, or Mer, Islanders began court action to gain legal title to their family land. Principal plaintiff in the landmark High Court native title case, "Mabo and Others versus State of Queensland and the Commonwealth, 1982-92". It is Mabo's name that has been given to the subsequent decision of the High Court of Australia on 3 June 1992, five months after he died, that reversed the principle of Terra Nullius and resulted in the recognition of native title. 
Notes

Manuscript reference no.: MS 8822.

These papers were selected in 2001 for inclusion in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register.

Available also on microfilm. at Mfm G 27539-27549.

Microfilm at Mfm G 27539-27549.

Related Material Cassette tapes of oral history interviews with Mabo conducted by Professor Noel Loos were included in the purchase of the Mabo papers. These tapes have been transferred to the National Library's Oral History Section (TRC 3504). 
Cited In

Guide to collections of manuscripts relating to Australia ; E948

Index/Finding Aid Note Finding aid available in the Manuscript Reading Room and on the Internet at: http://nla.gov.au/nla.ms-ms8822 
Subjects Mabo, Eddie, - 1936-1992 - Archives.  |  Australia - Native Title Act 1993.  |  Aboriginal Australians - Archives.  |  Torres Strait Islanders - Archives.  |  Native title (Australia)  |  Land tenure - Australia.  |  Australia - Race relations.
Occupation Landowners.  |  Human rights workers.
Other Authors Australia. High Court
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Details Collect From
MS 8822 Manual Request only from Manuscript Reading Room, 2nd Floor
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