City of Melbourne Libraries

12 June: Mabo Australian Classification: PG

In 1973 Eddie ‘Koiki’ Mabo was shocked to discover that the ownership of the land his ancestors had passed down on Murray Island in the Torres Strait Islands for over 16 generations was not legally recognised as theirs.

Rather than accept this injustice, he began an epic fight for Australian law to recognise traditional land rights. Eddie never lived to see his land returned to him, but the name Mabo is now known in every household throughout the country.

In January 1992, at only 55, Eddie died of cancer. Five months later, the High Court overturned the notion of terra nullius. Underscoring this epic battle is Eddie’s relationship with his wife, Bonita. MABO is as much a love story as it is a document of one man’s fight to retain what he believed was legally his.

MABO traces Eddie’s life — from a carefree young man of seventeen, through his courtship and marriage to his one true love, up to his death and the handing down of the High Court decision on that historic day — 3rd June 1992.

Dates for the rest of the year, films to be confirmed:

• 10 July
• 14 August
• 11 September
• 9 October
• 13 November
• 11 December