🌟🌿 Celebrating Mabo Day: Honoring First Nations Heritage 🌿🌟

🌟🌿 Celebrating Mabo Day: Honoring First Nations Heritage 🌿🌟

Presented with Pride by the City of Port Phillip and The St Kilda Esplanade Market

Date: 3rd June, we will be celebrating on Sunday 2nd June 

On June 3rd, we come together to mark a day of immense significance and celebration – Mabo Day. This annual event pays tribute to the remarkable journey of Eddie Koiki Mabo, a Torres Strait Islander whose tireless advocacy for Indigenous Land rights forever altered the course of Australian history.

In 1992, the High Court of Australia delivered a landmark Native Title decision that transformed the legal landscape. On this day, it overturned the long-held legal fiction of Terra Nullius, recognizing the rightful ownership of the original inhabitants of Murray Island. This monumental decision shattered the illusion of unoccupied land, which had persisted since 1770.

Mabo Day stands as a testament to the enduring strength and resilience of First Nations Peoples and their unwavering commitment to justice and reconciliation.

But it's not just a day for remembrance; it's also a day for celebration. In 2024, the City of Port Phillip proudly presents Mabo Day Celebrations in collaboration with the St Kilda Esplanade Market. This partnership highlights the importance of unity and acknowledges the profound contributions of First Nations communities.

Join us for a day filled with:

🎶 First Nations Performances: Experience the rich cultural heritage of Australia's First Peoples through a range of captivating performances.

🛍️ Market Stalls: Explore the vibrant Esplanade Market, where you'll find unique and handmade creations from talented artisans.

🌞 Community: Come together with friends, family, and fellow community members to celebrate the diversity and strength of our society.

Sounds of St Kilda with Amos Roach.

Amos Roach is an award-winning musician, dancer, director and proud Djab Wurrung, Gunditjmarra Ngarrindjeri man. Amos has been playing keyboard, guitar, bass and Yidaki since he was eight, and is acknowledged as one of Australia’s best Yidaki players. A cultural practitioner, traditional First Nations culture informs the fundamentals of his craft. Amos’ music is part of the songline that connects people and Country. He uses traditional instruments, songs, music and dance to tell stories of Songlines, Family and Country and aims to bring traditional instruments into the mainstream canon.

Sounds of the Torres Straits with John Wayne Parsons.

JOHN WAYNE PARSONS is a Meriam Le and Yugerra man who, growing up in a family with strong spiritual and cultural influences, has always loved singing. John performed in Melbourne Opera Company production of FIDELIO (2013), Production Company in SHOW BOAT (2014), lead and ensemble roles in successive seasons of Short Black Opera’s PECAN SUMMER - Australia’s first Indigenous Opera. It was in this role that he had his operatic debut at the Sydney Opera House In 2016 and for which he was awarded Best Actor in an Opera in the Broadway World Sydney Awards.

Let us use this day to reflect on our shared history and look towards a future of harmony, understanding, and respect. Mabo Day is a reminder that together, we can build a more inclusive and just Australia for all.

We invite you to join us in commemorating this important day and celebrating the vibrant culture and contributions of First Nations Peoples.