Series 1: Printed textile materials (1974-2019?)
This series contains T-shirts, polo shirts and table runners collected by the Mabo family.
- Many of the shirts were designed by Dr. Bonita Mabo AO and portray personal messages that support and celebrate the achievements of her husband Eddie Koiki Mabo.
- A number of items contain prints that celebrate the historic Mabo land rights case.
- Many shirts contain prints that refer to Mer (Murray Island) in the Torres Strait and/or the various clans that live there.
- A number of shirts contain prints that refer to conferences, mainly the National Native Title Conference.
- Other shirts contain prints that refer to theatre, dance or music productions, festivals such as the Kaiwalagal Music & Arts Festival and the Mabo Day Festival, art exhibitions and the Smugglers of Light Foundation.
Description
Access
Items in this series:
'Keep White Interests out of Black land' T-shirt (1980-1981?)
The T-shirt is orange with black text on both sides. The text on the front of the T-shirt reads 'Keep White interests out of Black Land'. The text on the back reads 'Support Pitjantjatjara Land Rights Bill'.
It is not known who designed this shirt.
Description
No size label, chest width 50 cm, back length 70 cm
Other
Eddie Koiki Mabo was an advocator of traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander land rights. The shirt supports the South Australian Pitjantjatjara Land Rights Bill. The Pitjantjatjara people's traditional lands contain areas in South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory. In early 1979 a Parliamentary Select Committee reported in favour of an Act giving the Pitjantjatjara people total rights over their traditional land in the north west of South Australia. Following this, legislation recognising the traditional rights of the Pitjantjatjara people was introduced by Don Dunstan AC QC's South Australian Labor government. The Bill was before Parliament when there was a change in government in late 1979. There were fears the Bill would be abandoned. The new Liberal government eventually re-negotiated the matter and the Bill became the Pitjantjatjara Land Rights Act 1981 on 19 March 1981. (Information taken from : Museum of Australian Democracy website, viewed 14 May 2021)
"National Aboriginal & Islander Week" T-shirt (1974)
The T-shirt is white with black text accompanied with illustrations on the front. The text reads "National Aboriginal and Islander Week, 4-9 July, Ayr Qld". The illustrations are of a dari (head dress), 2 boomerangs, kadik (arm band), baur (spear), kadik and gabagaba (club).
The shirt was designed by Ada Blanco, Ayr High School, for National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Week 4-9 July.
Description
XXL, chest width 55 cm, back length 62 cm
Other
The Mabo family has a South Sea Islander family connection to Ayr through Dr. Bonita Mabo AO. Dr. Bonita Mabo AO was a Malanbarra woman born in 1943 near Ingham in North Queensland. She was a descendant of Vanuatuan workers that had been brought to Queensland to work on sugar plantations. (Information taken from: ABC News website, posted 26 November 2018, viewed 17 May 2021, Australian Women's Archive Project website, viewed 17 May 2021)
"I'm proud of you ATA" polo shirt (1995)
The polo shirt is white with black text accompanied with illustrations on the front and back. The text on the front of the polo shirt reads "I'm proud of you ATA" and is accompanied by a portrait of Eddie Koiki Mabo. The text on the back reads "Piadaram Clan" and is accompanied by an illustration of a fish swimming out of a circle.
This shirt was designed by Dr. Bonita Mabo AO.
Description
7 (child size), chest width 42 cm, back length 53 cm
Other
The Piadaram clan is Koiki Mabo's clan on Mer (Murray Island) in the Torres Strait.
"Mabo case down in history" T-shirt (3 June 1995?)
The T-shirt is white with black text on the front and back. The back of the T-shirt also contains an illustration. The text on the front of the T-shirt reads "Mabo case down in history : Cook stole it, Mabo regained it! : Eddie Mabo recaptured our stolen land : Koiki fought against the Queensland Government and won! : Koiki Mabo, a famous Black Australian : Koiki au eswou kara negwum". The text on the back reads "Historical land claim : Mabo Case 1982-1992". The illustration contains a portrait of Eddie Koiki Mabo surrounded by a map of Mer (Murray Island) that notes the land divisions of the different tribes that populate the island.
The shirt was designed by Mer (Murray Island)/Townsville man Ned Gaby.
Description
Child (no size label), chest width 41 cm, back length 51 cm
Other
The shirt refers to the Mabo case which recognised for the first time in Australian law “the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to their lands based on their traditional connection to and occupation of their country” and “countered the claim by the British that Australia was ‘terra nullius’ (land belonging to no-one)”. It began on 20 May 1982 when Eddie Koiki Mabo “and fellow Mer Islanders, Reverend David Passi, Celuia Mapo Salee, Sam Passi and James Rice began their legal claim in the High Court of Australia for ownership of their lands on the island of Mer”. As Eddie Koiki Mabo was the first named plaintiff, the case became known as the ‘Mabo Case’. Eddie Koiki Mabo died on 21 January 1992 before the case was won successfully in June 1992. The following year the Federal Parliament of Australia passed the Native Title Act 1993. This created a system for “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to make a native title claim over their lands”. (Information taken from: AIATSIS website, viewed 14 May 2021)
"Cultural revival is survival" T-shirt (1995?)
The T-shirt is white with black text on the front accompanied by a portrait of Eddie Koiki Mabo wearing a traditional dhari (head dress) from Mer (Murray Island). The text reads "Cultural revival is survival".
It is not known who designed this shirt.
Description
S, chest width 38 cm, back length 60 cm
Other
"Dawareb Kebele" T-shirt (1980-1989?)
Child's blue ti-died T-shirt with black printing on the front and back. The front of the T-shirt features a dhari (head dress). The back of the T-shirt contains the text "Dawareb Kebele" and is accompanied by an illustration containing a mackerel totem.
It is not known who designed this shirt.
Description
Child size 12?, chest width 35 cm, back length 53 cm
Other
"Proud of you" T-shirt (1987-1993?)
The T-shirt is white with a colour photograph printed on the front. The photograph depicts Eddie Koiki Mabo sitting cross-legged at the Pacific Festival in Anzac Park, Townsville, during the 1970s. The creator of the photograph is unknown.
The T-shirt was designed by Dr. Bonita Mabo AO.
Description
XL, chest width 53 cm, back length 72 cm
Other
'I'm proud of you darling" T-shirt (1995)
The T-shirt is white and is printed on both sides. The text on the front of the T-shirt reads "I'm proud of you darling". The text is accompanied by a print of a colour photograph containing a portrait of Eddie Koiki Mabo. The photograph was taken by their daughter Bethel Mabo in the mid-1980s. The back of the T-shirt contains text and an illustration. The text reads "Historical land claim : Mabo case 1982-1992". The illustration contains a portrait of Eddie Koiki Mabo surrounded by a map of the island Mer that notes the different tribes that populate the island.
The shirt was designed by Dr. Bonita Mabo AO (front) and Ned Gaby (back).
Description
S, chest width 55 cm, back length 70 cm
Other
The shirt refers to the Mabo case which recognised for the first time in Australian law “the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to their lands based on their traditional connection to and occupation of their country” and “countered the claim by the British that Australia was ‘terra nullius’ (land belonging to no-one)”. It began on 20 May 1982 when Eddie Koiki Mabo “and fellow Mer Islanders, Reverend David Passi, Celuia Mapo Salee, Sam Passi and James Rice began their legal claim in the High Court of Australia for ownership of their lands on the island of Mer”. As Eddie Koiki Mabo was the first named plaintiff, the case became known as the ‘Mabo Case’. Eddie Koiki Mabo died on 21 January 1992 before the case was won successfully in June 1992. The following year the Federal Parliament of Australia passed the Native Title Act 1993. This created a system for “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to make a native title claim over their lands”. (Information taken from: AIATSIS website, viewed 14 May 2021)
"Mabo case 6th Anniversary" T-shirt (1998)
The T-shirt is white and is printed on both sides. The text on the front of the T-shirt reads "Mabo case : 3rd June '92 : 6 th anniversary 1998". The text is accompanied by a colour photograph of Eddie Koiki Mabo dancing. The creator of the photograph is unknown. The text on the back of the T-shirt reads "Native title".
The T-shirt was designed by Dr. Bonita Mabo AO.
Description
L, chest width 52 cm, back length 70 cm
Other
"Proud of you darling" T-shirt (2002)
The T-shirt is white and printed on both sides.
The text on the front of the T-shirt contains text and a colour print. The text reads "Proud of you darling" and is accompanied with a print of a colour photograph of Eddie Koiki Mabo dancing. The photograph was taken by a family member in the 1970s when Eddie Koiki Mabo was part of a Townsville Torres Strait Islander dance group.
The back of the T-shirt contains text and a black and white illustration. The text reads "Historical land claim : Mabo Day 2002 : 10th Anniversary". The illustration contains a dhari (head dress) and a traditional drum, one end of the drum morphs into a shark's head and mouth.
The T-shirt was designed by Dr. Bonita Mabo AO.
Description
L, chest width 51 cm, back length 70 cm
Other
The shirt refers to the Mabo case which recognised for the first time in Australian law “the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to their lands based on their traditional connection to and occupation of their country” and “countered the claim by the British that Australia was ‘terra nullius’ (land belonging to no-one)”. It began on 20 May 1982 when Eddie Koiki Mabo “and fellow Mer Islanders, Reverend David Passi, Celuia Mapo Salee, Sam Passi and James Rice began their legal claim in the High Court of Australia for ownership of their lands on the island of Mer”. As Eddie Koiki Mabo was the first named plaintiff, the case became known as the ‘Mabo Case’. Eddie Koiki Mabo died on 21 January 1992 before the case was won successfully in June 1992. The following year the Federal Parliament of Australia passed the Native Title Act 1993. This created a system for “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to make a native title claim over their lands”. (Information taken from: AIATSIS website, viewed 14 May 2021)
"Proud of you darling" T-shirt (2002)
The T-shirt is white, V-necked and printed on both sides.
The text on the front of the T-shirt reads "Proud of you darling". It is accompanied by a print of a colour photograph featuring a portrait of Eddie Koiki Mabo. The photograph may have been taken at daughter Maria's (Jesse's) debutante ball in Mackay during the 1980s.
The back of the T-shirt contains text and a black and white illustration. The text reads "Historical land claim : Mabo Day 2002 : 10th Anniversary". The illustration contains a dhari (head dress) and a traditional drum, one end of the drum morphs into a shark's head and mouth.
The T-shirt was designed by Dr. Bonita Mabo AO.
Description
L, chest width 55 cm, back length 70 cm
Other
The shirt refers to the Mabo case which recognised for the first time in Australian law “the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to their lands based on their traditional connection to and occupation of their country” and “countered the claim by the British that Australia was ‘terra nullius’ (land belonging to no-one)”. It began on 20 May 1982 when Eddie Koiki Mabo “and fellow Mer Islanders, Reverend David Passi, Celuia Mapo Salee, Sam Passi and James Rice began their legal claim in the High Court of Australia for ownership of their lands on the island of Mer”. As Eddie Koiki Mabo was the first named plaintiff, the case became known as the ‘Mabo Case’. Eddie Koiki Mabo died on 21 January 1992 before the case was won successfully in June 1992. The following year the Federal Parliament of Australia passed the Native Title Act 1993. This created a system for “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to make a native title claim over their lands”. (Information taken from: AIATSIS website, viewed 14 May 2021)
"We are proud of you Dad" T-shirt (2002)
The T-shirt is a men's T-shirt that is white with a front pocket and is printed on both sides.
The text on the front of the T-shirt reads "We are proud of you Dad". It is accompanied by a print of a colour photograph featuring a portrait of Eddie Koiki Mabo. The photograph may have been taken at daughter Maria's (Jesse's) debutante ball in Mackay during the 1980s.
The back of the T-shirt contains text and a black and white illustration. The text reads "Historical land claim : Mabo Day 2002 : 10th Anniversary". The illustration contains a dhari (head dress) and a traditional drum, one end of the drum morphs into a shark's head and mouth.
The T-shirt was designed by Dr. Bonita Mabo AO.
Description
3XL, chest width 66 cm, back length 71 cm
Other
The shirt refers to the Mabo case which recognised for the first time in Australian law “the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to their lands based on their traditional connection to and occupation of their country” and “countered the claim by the British that Australia was ‘terra nullius’ (land belonging to no-one)”. It began on 20 May 1982 when Eddie Koiki Mabo “and fellow Mer Islanders, Reverend David Passi, Celuia Mapo Salee, Sam Passi and James Rice began their legal claim in the High Court of Australia for ownership of their lands on the island of Mer”. As Eddie Koiki Mabo was the first named plaintiff, the case became known as the ‘Mabo Case’. Eddie Koiki Mabo died on 21 January 1992 before the case was won successfully in June 1992. The following year the Federal Parliament of Australia passed the Native Title Act 1993. This created a system for “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to make a native title claim over their lands”. (Information taken from: AIATSIS website, viewed 14 May 2021)
"We are proud of you Dad" T-shirt (2002)
The T-shirt is a women's T-shirt that is white and is printed on both sides.
The text on the front of the T-shirt is black and reads "We are proud of you Dad". It is accompanied by a print of a colour photograph featuring a portrait of Eddie Koiki Mabo. The photograph may have been taken at daughter Maria's (Jesse's) debutante ball in Mackay during the 1980s.
The back of the T-shirt contains text and a black and white illustration. The text reads "Historical land claim : Mabo Day 2002 : 10th Anniversary". The illustration contains a dhari (head dress) and a traditional drum, one end of the drum morphs into a shark's head and mouth.
The T-shirt was designed by Dr. Bonita Mabo AO.
Description
XXL, chest width 60 cm, back length 62 cm
Other
The shirt refers to the Mabo case which recognised for the first time in Australian law “the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to their lands based on their traditional connection to and occupation of their country” and “countered the claim by the British that Australia was ‘terra nullius’ (land belonging to no-one)”. It began on 20 May 1982 when Eddie Koiki Mabo “and fellow Mer Islanders, Reverend David Passi, Celuia Mapo Salee, Sam Passi and James Rice began their legal claim in the High Court of Australia for ownership of their lands on the island of Mer”. As Eddie Koiki Mabo was the first named plaintiff, the case became known as the ‘Mabo Case’. Eddie Koiki Mabo died on 21 January 1992 before the case was won successfully on June 1992. The following year the Federal Parliament of Australia passed the Native Title Act 1993. This created a system for “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to make a native title claim over their lands”. (Information taken from: AIATSIS website, viewed 14 May 2021)
"Historical land claim" T-shirt (2002)
The T-shirt is orange and is printed in black on the front and back.
The front of the T-shirt contains text and a black and white illustration. The text reads "3rd June 2002 10th anniversary : 1992-2002 : Mabo Day : historical land claim". The illustration contains a dhari (head dress) and a traditional drum, one end of the drum morphs into a shark's head and mouth.
The text on the back reads "Historical land claim".
The T-shirt was designed by Dr. Bonita Mabo AO.
Description
S, chest width 52 cm, back length 63 cm
Other
The shirt refers to the Mabo case which recognised for the first time in Australian law “the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to their lands based on their traditional connection to and occupation of their country” and “countered the claim by the British that Australia was ‘terra nullius’ (land belonging to no-one)”. It began on 20 May 1982 when Eddie Koiki Mabo “and fellow Mer Islanders, Reverend David Passi, Celuia Mapo Salee, Sam Passi and James Rice began their legal claim in the High Court of Australia for ownership of their lands on the island of Mer”. As Eddie Koiki Mabo was the first named plaintiff, the case became known as the ‘Mabo Case’. Eddie Koiki Mabo died on 21 January 1992 before the case was won successfully in June 1992. The following year the Federal Parliament of Australia passed the Native Title Act 1993. This created a system for “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to make a native title claim over their lands”. (Information taken from: AIATSIS website, viewed 14 May 2021)
"Zagareb Tribe" polo shirt (2002)
The polo shirt is light blue and printed on both sides. The front of the polo shirt is printed in black and contains black text and a portrait. The text reads "Decade celebrations of Mabo case : June 3 1992-2002". The portrait is of Eddie Koiki Mabo. The back of the polo shirt is printed in colour and contains black text and a colour illustration of a flag. The text reads "Zagareb Tribe", one of the clan groups of Mer (Murray Island). The flag design features the Torres Strait pigeon sitting on a warup (island drum).
It is not known who designed this shirt.
Description
L, chest width 55 cm, back length 69 cm
Other
"Mer Community Tour" polo shirt (August 2015)
A coloured polo shirt featuring printed colour and black and white photographs of Eddie Koiki Mabo, a printed newspaper clipping and pigeon, shark and octopus motifs that represent the eight clans of the island. The image of Koiki Mabo on the back on the shirt, bottom right, is from a family photograph. The origin of the other photographs is unknown. Only 3-4 shirts were printed.
The polo shirt was designed by Gail Mabo.
Description
XL, chest width 62 cm, back length 77 cm
Other
"Piadrum Clan" polo shirt (2017)
A red polo shirt with printing on both sides.
The text on the front of the polo shirt reads "Piadrum Clan" and is accompanied by colour and black and white illustrations of a pigeon, hammerhead shark and a leaf. The leaf is also printed twice on the collar. The leaf is a traditional symbol, and the pigeon and hammerhead shark figures represent clans on the island. Black warrior masks (malo) also feature across one half of the front. The front also features a print of a photograph containing a portrait of Eddie Koiki Mabo surrounded by the text "25th anniversary : the historical High Court decision Mabo Case : 1992-2017".
The back of the polo shirt contains a larger print of the same photograph of Koiki Mabo featured on the front surrounded by the same writing. The back also features black warrior masks (malo) across one half.
The polo shirt was designed by Lucy Wilau.
Description
3XL, chest width 64 cm, back length 82 cm
Other
The Piadarum Clan is Koiki Mabo's clan.
"Mabo Day Festival" T-shirt (3 June 2017?)
The T-shirt is white with a Mabo Day Festival poster printed in colour on the front side.
The T-shirt was designed by Christian Gordon.
Description
2XL, chest width 58 cm, back length 72 cm
Other
The year 2017 was the 25th anniversary of the Mabo decision.
"Road to recovery", Torres Strait Islanders National Conference T-shirt (22-25 July 1991?)
A white T-shirt with blue and yellow printing on the front. The text on the front of the T-shirt is blue and reads "Torres Strait Islanders National Conference : Road to Recovery : culture, heritage". The text is accompanied by a yellow and blue illustration of a Torres Strait Islander with a spear and small dhari (head dress), standing above a drum. The letters "IINA" are written on the drum.
Description
XXL, chest width 55 cm, back length 62 cm
Other
"Leadership, legacy and opportunity", National Native Title Conference T-shirt (16-18 June 2015?)
The T-shirt is blue with printing on both sides. The text on the front is white and reads "Leadership, legacy and opportunity : National Native Title Conference 2015" and is accompanied by a white illustration. The text on the back is white and reads "National Native Conference 2015 : Port Douglas, Qld : 16 - 18 June". The text is accompanied by a colour illustration and the names and logos for AIATSIS and the Cape York Land Council.
Description
L, chest width 51 cm, back length 72 cm
Other
"Strong culture, strong country, strong future", National Native Title Conference T-shirt (1-3 June 2016?)
A red T-shirt with white printing on both sides. The text on the front of the T-shirt reads "Strong culture, strong country, strong future". The text on the back of the T-shirt reads "National Native Title Conference 2016...strong culture, strong country, strong future". It is accompanied by an illustration and the name and logo of AIATSIS and the Northern Land Council.
Description
L, chest width 51 cm, back length 73 cm
Other
"Our land is our birth right", National Native Title Conference T-shirt (5-7 June 2017?)
The T-shirt is blue with white print on both sides. The text on the front reads "Our land is our birth right : Mabo25 & beyond : National Native Title Conference, 5-7 June 2017, Townsville, Qld". The back of the T-shirt contains a large picture of a bird and the name and logo of AIATSIS and the North Queensland Land Council.
Description
L, chest width 58 cm, back length 78 cm
Other
"Our land is our birth right", National Native Title Conference T-shirt (5-7 June 2017?)
The T-shirt is grey with white print on both sides. The text on the front reads "Our land is our birth right : Mabo25 & beyond : National Native Title Conference, 5-7 June 2017, Townsville, Qld." The back of the T-shirt contains a large picture of a bird and the name and logo of AIATSIS and the North Queensland Land Council.
Description
L, chest width 54 cm, back length 74 cm
Other
"Many laws, one land", National Native Title Conference T-shirt (5-7 June 2018?)
A yellow T-shirt is printed in black on both sides. The text on the front of the T-shirt reads "Many laws, one land : legal and political co-existence : National Native Title Conference 2018". The text is accompanied by an illustration containing a bird. The back of the T-shirt contains the name and logo of AIATSIS, the Kimberley Land Council, Yawuru and Nyamba Buru Yawuru.
Description
2XL, chest width 60 cm, back length 81 cm
Other
"Youth Forum #NTC18" T-shirt (2018?)
The orange T-shirt has white printing on both sides. The text on the front reads "Youth Forum #NTC18". The text on the back contains the name and logos of AIATSIS, the Kimberley Land Council, Yawuru and Nyamba Buru Yawuru.
Description
L, chest width 54 cm, back length 70 cm
Other
"Land rights and recognition!" Native Title Conference T-shirt (3-4 June 2019?)
A white T-shirt with coloured printing on the front containing text and an illustration. The text reads ""Land rights and recognition! : Native Title Conference : 3-4 June 2019".
Description
3XL, chest width 62 cm, back length 77 cm
Other
"Luuli" T-shirt (1998-2000?)
A black T-shirt with colour printing on both sides. The text on the front of the T-shirt reads "Luuli" and is accompanied by an illustration of two people dancing. The text on the back is red and reads "Luuli : we play and dance together : Dance North : Mornington Island Dancers.
The names/logos of a number of other companies/organisations are also on the back: Australia Council for the Arts; playing Australia, a Commonwealth touring program; A Sea Change, an official event in A Sea Change, a nationwide celebration in the lead up to the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games; Townsville City; Arts Queensland; Mornington Shire; Festival of Darwin; Pasninco Century Project; Channel 10; Townsville Bulletin; 4KIG; Big Eye Productions; and Canon.
Description
26, chest width 65 cm, back length 76 cm
Other
"Show us ya Tiddas!" T-shirt (1999)
A black T-shirt with white printing on the front and blue printing on the back. The text on the front of the T-shirt reads "Show us ya Tiddas!". The logo and web address of the Melbourne Workers Theatre is printed on the back.
Description
L, chest width 58 cm, back length 64 cm
Other
"Show us ya Tiddas!" was an autobiographical cabaret show from Yorta Yorta woman Lou Bennett, the co-founder of the internationally successful folk group Tiddas. The show was produced in 2007 by the Melbourne Workers' Theatre as part of its 20th anniversary celebrations.
"Kaiwalagal Music & Arts Festival" T-shirt (2005)
A yellow T-shirt with printing on both sides. The front of the T-shirt is printed in colour and contains text and an illustration. The text reads "Torres Shire Council presents Kaiwalagal Music & Arts Festival : Thursday Island : 2005". The illustration features a printed image of the Mill Sisters and Seaman Dan. The back of the T-shirt contains black text which reads "It's never too late to do your best".
Description
L, chest width 55 cm, back length 76 cm
Other
"The tjukurpe will not be colonised" T-shirt (2018)
A white T-shirt with black text on the front. The text reads "The tjukurpe will not be colonised".
Description
S, chest width 60 cm, back length 66 cm
Other
"Desert Pea Media" T-shirt (2014)
A black T-shirt with colour printing on the front and back. The front of the T-shirt contains the name and logo of the company Desert Pea Media. The back of the T-shirt contains the text "Crew".
Description
2XL, chest width 60 cm, back length 77 cm
Other
The album was recorded in partnership with charitable organisations Desert Pea Media, The Smugglers of Light Foundation and UNLtd. "Desert Pea Media artists worked with 10 regional and remote communities around Australia, using music and film to create conversation and dialogue around local social and cultural issues. The core artists were Toby Finlayson (Director/ Co-writer/ Producer/ DOP/ Editor) Joel Westlake (Music Producer/ Co-Writer/ Camera Assistant) and Gail Mabo (Cultural Consultant)". (Information taken from: Indigenous Story website, viewed 21 May 2021)
"Smugglers of light" T-shirt (2014)
A black T-shirt with colour printing on the front containing text and an illustration. The text is white and reads "Smugglers of light". The illustration is in colour.
Description
20 (ladies), chest width 56 cm, back length 64 cm
Other
"Totally local" T-shirt (2019)
A black T-shirt with white print on the front. The print contains an artwork by Tommy Pau with the text "totally local". It also contains the name and logo of Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts on the right sleeve. The shirt was printed in Townsville by TAG in Aitkenvale.
Description
M, chest width 54 cm, back length 66 cm
Other
"25th anniversary Mabo Day" perspiration towel (3 June 2017?)
A red, white and blue perspiration towel containing text and an illustration. The text reads "25th anniversary Mabo Day : June 3 2017 : Mer Island - Australia : 'Home of Native Title'."
Description
32 x 76 cm
Other
The text on the perspiration towel refers to the Mabo case which recognised for the first time in Australian law “the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to their lands based on their traditional connection to and occupation of their country” and “countered the claim by the British that Australia was ‘terra nullius’ (land belonging to no-one)”. It began on 20 May 1982 when Eddie Koiki Mabo “and fellow Mer Islanders, Reverend David Passi, Celuia Mapo Salee, Sam Passi and James Rice began their legal claim in the High Court of Australia for ownership of their lands on the island of Mer”. As Eddie Koiki Mabo was the first named plaintiff, the case became known as the ‘Mabo Case’. Eddie Koiki Mabo died on 21 January 1992 before the case was won successfully in June 1992. The following year the Federal Parliament of Australia passed the Native Title Act 1993. This created a system for “Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to make a native title claim over their lands”. (Information taken from: AIATSIS website, viewed 14 May 2021)
"Empowering our people" perspiration towel (2008-2019?)
A green, white and blue perspiration towel. The text 'Empowering our people in our decision in our culture for our future', the logo of the Torres Strait Island Regional Council (repeated twice) and a map of the Torres Strait is set below and on top of a green and white design.
Description
31 x 99 cm
Series 2: Screen printing equipment (1987-2002?)
Silk screens containing designs by Dr. Bonita Mabo AO.
Description
Access
Other
Items in this series:
"Australia South Sea Islanders" screen (1987-2002?)
Silk screen belonging to Dr. Bonita Mabo AO for screen printing shirts. The silk screen contains the text "Australian South Sea Islanders."
Description
Other
"Mabo Day 10th anniversary" screen (2002?)
Silk screen belonging to Dr. Bonita Mabo AO for screen printing shirts. The silk screen contains the text "Mabo Day : 3rd June 2002 : 10th Anniversary" accompanied by an illustration that includes a dhari (head dress).
Description
"Historical land claim 10th anniversary" screen (2002?)
Silk screen belonging to Dr. Bonita Mabo AO for screen printing shirts. The silk screen contains the text "Historical land claim : 1992 - 2002 : Mabo Case : 10th anniversary" accompanied by an illustration of Eddie Koiki Mabo.
Description
Series 3: Publications (1970-2017)
This series contains various publications collected by the Mabo family:
- a launch booklet for the "Mabo" feature film
- invitation, ticket and information pack given to Dr. Bonita Mabo AO for the Inaugural Eddie Mabo Memorial Lecture and Dinner, Melbourne, 3 June 2002
- ATSIC information Kit on Native Title
- First Day Cover celebrating the 50th anniversary of the 1967 referendum which acknowledged Indigenous Australians in the national census and the 25th Anniversary of the Mabo High Court decision on Native Title. The First Day Cover is accompanied by a commemorative 50c coin issued by the Royal Australian Mint.
- exhibition catalogue for "Legacy: Reflections on Mabo"
- annotated Mabo Family copy of "Myths and legends of Torres Strait" (collected and translated by Margaret Lawrie).
Description
Access
Items in this series:
"Mabo" booklet (2012)
A Mabo feature film launch booklet enclosed in a folder.
Description
26 cm
Other
The booklet was given to those who attended the launch as part of the Sydney Film Festival. Gail Mabo was a cultural consultant for the film. Both Gail and Dr. Bonita Mabo AO attended the 55th Annual TV Week Logie Awards on Sunday 7 April 2013 at the Crown Palladium in Melbourne to see Deborah Mailman, who played Dr. Bonita Mabo AO, win the Logie for Most Outstanding Actress.
Invitation, ticket and National Native Title Tribunal information pack (June 2002?)
This item contains a green folder containing:
- an invitation and ticket for the "Inaugural Eddie Mabo Memorial Lecture and Dinner", 3 June 2002, Carlton Crest Hotel, Melbourne, creator unknown.
- a National Native Title Tribunal information pack containing
- "10 years of Native Title information kit", 25 pages.
- issue 3, June 2002, of "Talking Native Title", a quarterly serial produced by the National Native Title Tribunal.
Description
7 x 15 cm;
21 x 15 cm;
31 cm
"Information kit on Native Title" (1990-1994?)
The information kit contains information brochures and an appendix about understanding the Native Title Act and navigating the National Native Title Tribunal and Federal Court systems.
The kit was put together by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC). The individual brochures were produced from a variety of sources. Some of the material is undated.
Description
31 cm
Other
First day cover (2017)
First Day Cover issued by Australia Post on 24 May 2017 featuring a commemorative 50c coin issued by the Royal Australian Mint. The $1 stamp and cover was designed by Gilimbaa/Rachael Sarra, an Aboriginal artist from Goreng Goreng, in consultation with Bonita-Marie (Netta-Ree) Mabo, and was gifted to the Mabo family by the Royal Australian Mint.
The cover celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the 1967 referendum which acknowledged Indigenous Australians in the national census, and the 25th Anniversary of the Mabo High Court decision on Native Title.
Description
11 x 19 cm.
"Legacy : reflections on Mabo" exhibition catalogue (2019)
An exhibition catalogue for the exhibition "Legacy: Reflections on Mabo" which celebrated the life of Eddie Koiki Mabo.
Description
30 cm
Other
"Myths and legends of the Torres Strait" monograph (1970)
The book contains a collection of songs from the Torres Strait collected and translated by Margaret Lawrie. This is the Mabo family copy, annotated by Koiki Mabo and signed by the Mabo children.
Description
27 cm
Series 4: Posters (3 June 2017?)
Two posters for Mabo Day celebrations, 3 June 2017, collected by the Mabo family.
Description
84 x 60 cm each
Access
Items in this series:
"Mabo Day Festival" poster
Corflute poster for the Mabo Day Festival 2017 held on 3 June 2017.
The poster was designed by Christian Gordon from 360 Cre8ive Enterprises.
Description
84 x 60 cm
"Mabo Day Festival program" poster
Corflute poster of the Mabo Day Festival 2017 program for the Mabo Day Festival held on 3 June 2017.
The poster was designed by Christian Gordon from 360 Cre8ive Enterprises.
Description
84 x 60 cm