http://www.ainfos.ca/A-Infos/ainfos10719.html Monday June the 3rd marks the tenth anniversary of Mabo Day, a day that has important ramifications for Australian Society. Mabo Day is a day that is virtually unknown and ignored by most Australians. On the third of June 1992 the High Court of Australia rejected the ridiculous notion of "Terra Nullius", that this land was not occupied before European colonisation. Eddie Mabo a Torres Strait man born on Mex in the Torres Strait and living in Townsville in Queensland conducted a ten year battle through the courts that led to this historic judgement. The Mabo Judgement states in law that indigenous Australians have by prior occupation ownership of land where native title has not been extinguished. June the 3rd, ten years ago marks the beginning of a reconciliation process between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians that is based in law, not charity. It opened up a new chapter in the often difficult relationship between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians. This year9s tenth anniversary celebrations will be held around Australia. Mabo Day will not only be celebrated in the Torres Strait, it will be celebrated by the Torres Strait Islanders community through out Australia. Torres Strait Islanders Australians forgotten indigenous people, view the 10th anniversary celebrations as an inclusive celebration for all Australians. In Victoria, the Wongai Corporation (the organisation of Torres Strait Islanders living in Victoria) is holding a celebratory march, festival and Mayoral exchange between the Mayor of the Torres Strait and Melbourne to mark the Day. The day begins at 9:30 a.m on Monday June the 3rd in the new park behind Federation Square next to the Yarra. After speeches, participants will march to Melbourne Town Hall for the beginning of a Torres Strait Islander9s cultural day at the hall. If you are one of those millions of Australians who view the 26th of January as invasion day, if your one of those Australians who are concerned about the transformation of Anzac Day into a defacto Australia Day, then June the 3rd is the day to set the record straight. If there is one day that can be viewed as "Australia Day" it9s Mabo Day, the day that the possibility of reconciliation between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians become a reality. Where ever you live in Australia, make contact with your local Torres Strait Islanders Community, (over 50,000 Torres Strait Islanders live on the mainland) and see what their plans are for Mabo Day. Join them and celebrate this important historic occasion.
