1 June 2004

Doug Bon

Food, dancers and a guest speaker mark Charles Darwin University’s Faculty of Law, Business and Arts celebration of Mabo Day.

It was on this day in 1992 that the High Court of Australia rejected the doctrine that Australia was terra nullius at the time of European settlement.

It was the first determination by the High Court of Australia in terms of Indigenous people’s rights to land under the common law of Australia.

“On this twelfth anniversary of Mabo, our celebration will include guest speaker Doug Bon and followed by traditional food and dancers from the Torres Strait Islands (Kap Mauri),” Celebration co-convener, Ms Cynthia Coyne, said.

Mr Bon is the appropriate traditional elder to inform the public about Mabo and the history of Mabo from a traditional perspective.

A traditional Murray Island elder, a relative of Eddie Mabo and former Councillor of Yilli Rreung, Mr Bon currently works as an Aboriginal Education Worker at the Holy Spirit Primary School in Wanguri.

The presentation and lunch are provided at no cost to participants. All people are welcome to attend.

A map of the Casuarina Campus can be accessed at www.cdu.edu.au/campusmaps

For enquires about the Mabo Day of Celebration contact Cynthia Coyne 08 8946 6766 or Brendan Loizou 08 8946 6962.