Celebrating Mabo Day

On Mabo Day we honour the courage and strength of Eddie Koiki Mabo. The Centre had the privilege of hosting Kaleb Mabo for an event in celebration of Mabo Day this year.

Speaking about his grandfather’s legacy, Kaleb reminded us of the strength shown by Eddie Mabo in his fight for Indigenous land rights, and of our collective responsibility to continue to fight for greater land rights justice.

“Today, when we speak of Mabo, we are not just speaking about the court case. We are speaking about courage, justice, the power of truth. Koiki ata showed us something powerful – one voice, grounded in truth, can challenge an entire system.

The responsibility now sits with us all to continue listening, to continue learning, to continue to ensure that First Nations voices are not only heard, but lead, because the Mabo story is not finished.”

Thank you to all who attended the event, asked thoughtful questions, and shared a meal with us. Thank you also to Kaleb for speaking with such deep conviction, and to Kristal West for sharing her vocal talents.

Decorative purple segmented stripe on a dark background, pattern-like.

Event gallery

Two women in the foreground chat at a tropical-themed indoor event, with others in Hawaiian shirts and leis in the background.
Speaker at a podium gesturing with his hands, wearing glasses and a gray blazer; straw centerpiece with pink flowers in foreground.
Speaker at a podium on a stage with a large screen reading 'Celebrating Mabo Day' and a left-side poster about Mabo Day 2026; audience member in a colorful woven costume in the foreground.
Man in a red floral Hawaiian shirt speaks at a podium with a microphone; pink flowers in the foreground and a blurred sign reading 'THE MABO CENTRE' in the background.
Male speaker at a podium presenting, with a large projection behind showing 'The Struggle' and tropical imagery.
Audience of diverse adults seated on bleachers at an indoor event, many in bright tropical shirts, watching intently.
Man on a small stage making a dynamic gesture toward the audience, with equipment and a large banner on screen behind him.
Audience seated on tiered bleachers in a bright room, attentively watching a presentation or speaker off-camera, diverse ages and styles visible.
Female vocalist at a microphone on stage, with colorful stage lighting and other musicians blurred in the background.
Audience members seated in a row, some wearing Hawaiian shirts and leis, watching a performance or presentation attentively.
Smiling woman in a gray sweatshirt sits at a table decorated with bright tropical flowers.
Three adults chat and laugh at a casual indoor gathering; a man in a red Hawaiian shirt holds a drink in front of him, smiling broadly.
Conference room set for an event with vibrant tropical flower centerpieces on long tables and attendees in the background.
Two smiling coworkers in tropical shirts with badges posing indoors near a concrete pillar.
Close-up of a man with gray stubble and glasses in a black shirt, watching attentively with others wearing leis at an event.
Bearded man in a red floral shirt speaks at a podium with a microphone, pink flowers in the foreground and a blurred screen in the background.
Man in a light striped polo speaking at a podium with a microphone, blurred pink flowers in the foreground.
Male presenter wearing a light shirt raises his arm while speaking, with a large presentation slide behind him.
Group of people seated in a meeting; man with glasses gestures with his hands while speaking.
Female singer at a microphone on stage, hands raised, wearing a dark denim jacket and a colorful headband with purple lighting.
Two musicians performing onstage: a female singer at the microphone in front, with a guitarist playing in the background under colored lighting.
Smiling woman with glasses on her head wears a beige wrap at a floral event, with bright tropical flowers nearby.
People serve themselves at a buffet line with trays of noodles and vegetables in front of them.
Two women in bright tropical-print dresses chat at a table during a festive gathering with flower decor in the foreground and background.

📸 James Henry Photography

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Mabo Centre
Established in 2025, the Mabo Centre is an Indigenous-led partnership between the University of Melbourne and the National Native Title Council.
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June 4, 2026