Mabo Oration 2009

Speech by Jessie Mabo on behalf of Mrs Bonita Mabo and the Mabo family

Jessie Mabo

Jessie Mabo [Photo by Ric Frearson]

Thank you for your warm welcome Susan.

Firstly, I would also like to acknowledge the traditional owners past present and future of the land and pay my sincere respects to them for allowing us to meet at this time at the third Mabo Oration.

My name is Jessie Mabo. I am the second daughter of Eddie and Bonita Mabo.

Tonight I have the honour of speaking on behalf of my mother, Mrs Bonita Mabo, and my family, many of who are here tonight.

Our Mum had intended to speak tonight but is not well enough to travel. She sends warm greetings to you all and thanks you for coming along and sharing this evening with us here tonight.

Those of you who know my mother will also know that she has strong views about many things and takes great pride in her Aboriginal and South Sea Islander heritage.

Mum has these messages she has asked me to share with you all tonight.

• The first is that her husband and our father, was determined to win the battle for recognition of native title for all Indigenous Australians, both Torres Strait Islanders and Aboriginal peoples.
• Mum speaks of real reconciliation for all Australians, especially between Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and South Sea Islander peoples. Mum often talks about how we need to "work together as one to fight for our rights." She is and has been worried that 17 years after the High Court's decision, Indigenous peoples are still struggling to gain recognition for their human rights in Australia".
• Finally, she wants you to know that she and the rest of the Mabo family would really love to see the third of June, the anniversary of the successful Mabo decision, to be a national holiday with a focus of the day on reconciliation for all Indigenous Australians and Non-Indigenous Australians.

I would also like to share with you what I learnt and saw of my dad while growing up in the Mabo household and three things came to mind.

• Determination; To do what is in your heart for the betterment for all and future Indigenous Australians
• Seeing things through no matter how hard thing may seem at the time or what obstacles may hold you back from your dreams and visions; and
• Not giving up for what you believe in, care about and want for the betterment of mine and your children, their children of the coming future.

I use these strengths in my life, especially in the work I do with Murri Sisters, who provide refuge for women who have suffered domestic and family violence. I want to continue to honour my father's name through the work that I do and by supporting other groups to deliver services to Indigenous women and children. I'm also associated with a group of people that help abused children from all over Australia, this organisation is call BUACA (Bikers United Against Child Abuse) this is a non profit organisation in their 9th year and still growing strong. I am my father's daughter only working in a different area for Indigenous Australians.

Dad was famous before he passed and even in the last days of his life was consumed with the High Court case that resulted in native title for us. I believe he would support my mother in calling for reconciliation between Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and all Non-Indigenous Australians.

A national holiday to celebration recognition of native title rights and the rejection of the legal fiction of Terra Nullius would be more than just a celebration of one man's life, it is for all Australians.

At times in my working life I have found that it is not always easy being a Mabo, but it is always easy being proud and honoured of being a Mabo and having the parents that we were blessed with and to be a part of their lives and now being able to share that with the next generations to come.

Thank you

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