Post by Wallis Social Research

Today, June 3, is observed as Mabo Day, commemorating Eddie ‘Koiki’ Mabo’s successful High Court victory after a decade-long legal case. The decision overturned the doctrine of terra nullius and recognised that First Nations peoples had rights to land prior to European settlement, paving the way for the Native Title Act.   Twenty-three years later, the above coordinates were celebrated in Sydney with the naming of Koiki, the Mabo Star.   The ‘Koiki’ star sits within the Southern Cross, which lies in the hand of Tagai, a large Torres Strait Islander constellation depicted as a great warrior in a canoe. This constellation holds deep cultural significance and is important for celestial navigation.   As you turn your eyes skyward this week, we encourage you to look for the ‘Koiki’ star and reflect on the dedication and enduring impact of Eddie Mabo and the 33 Meriam people who compiled more than 4,000 pages of evidence and arguments to change Australian law. Their work led to the recognition of Indigenous peoples’ enduring connection to, and traditional ownership of, Country. #ReconciliationWeek #NRW2026 #MaboDay Image Description: A simple graphic of the Southern Cross constellation on a dark grey background, with white star shapes forming the cross. One smaller star at the lower right is highlighted in yellow and marked with a curved arrow to indicate the ‘Koiki’ star. Astronomical details appear in small white text in the lower left, and the “wallis social research” logo is shown in the lower right.