Topic
Social development (Eddie Koiko Mabo)
Instructions
In a 5-page essay paper, discuss how Eddie Koiko Mabo impacted the social development of the Aboriginals.
Answer preview
Change is inevitable in the society, as well in the life of individuals and one man managed to bring about this change for the Torress Strait Islanders in Australia. Eddie Mabo or Eddie Koiko Mabo (c. 29 June 1936- 21 January 1992) was an indigenous Australian Man who originated from Murray Island in the Torres Strait Islands. Mabo believed that the land that he and his family were living on belonged to them, but when he was doing his duties at James Cook University in Townsville, Mabo overhead historians talking and he referred to the Queensland as his own. However, he was shocked to learn that the land belonged to the Crown, as it had been gained through the doctrine of Terra Nullius. At is at this point, that he realized that he needed to do something about the land of the Torres Strait Islander and subsequently become the plaintiff in the Mabo case, to struggle for the land privileges of his people against the Crown, in the High Court of Australia.
Word count: 1643