Each year on June 3, Australians may come together to observe Mabo Day, a time for remembrance, reflection, and recognition of a pivotal moment in the nation’s history.

This day honours the enduring legacy of Eddie Koiki Mabo, a Torres Strait Islander whose determination and courage helped to reshape Australian law and society.

Eddie Mabo was a Meriam man, known for his passionate advocacy for his people. Throughout his life, he fought tirelessly for the recognition of Indigenous land rights, challenging a legal system that had long denied the existence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ownership of country.

At the heart of this struggle was the doctrine of terra nullius, a Latin term meaning "land belonging to no one." This doctrine was used to justify British colonisation, disregarding the deep and ancient connection that First Nations peoples had to the land for tens of thousands of years.

The significance of Mabo Day lies in the events of June 3, 1992. After a legal battle that spanned more than a decade, the High Court of Australia delivered a landmark ruling in favour of Eddie Mabo and his fellow plaintiffs. This decision overturned the concept of terra nullius, finally recognising that Indigenous Australians had lived on, and maintained laws and customs relating to, the land long before European settlement.

The ruling, now known as the Mabo Decision, paved the way for the Native Title Act 1993, which established a legal framework acknowledging the traditional rights and interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to their land and waters.

Tragically, Eddie Mabo did not live to see the outcome of his efforts, passing away just months before the decision was handed down. Yet his legacy endures, inspiring generations of advocates, leaders, and everyday Australians.

Mabo Day is not only a celebration of one man’s achievement, but also a reminder of the power of truth, persistence, and justice. It invites all Australians to reflect on the nation’s shared history and to recognise the ongoing journey towards genuine reconciliation.

The day provides an opportunity to celebrate the resilience and strength of First Nations peoples, particularly within the Torres Strait Islander community, to educate ourselves and others about the history of colonisation and Indigenous resistance, and to support truth-telling and land justice as the national conversation around Voice, Treaty, and Truth continues.

There are many ways to mark Mabo Day: by attending or hosting local events, film screenings, or community discussions; by learning more about Eddie Mabo’s story through books and documentaries; by visiting cultural centres or museums with exhibitions on land rights and Indigenous history; or by sharing stories and resources online to raise awareness.

Ultimately, Mabo Day serves as a powerful reminder that change is possible, even in the face of entrenched systems, and that justice often begins with a single voice refusing to be silenced. Eddie Mabo’s courage did more than change the law, it changed the understanding of the very foundations of this country.