20th anniversary of the Mabo Decision

Yesterday, It was the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Mabo Decision that recognised the native right on their land. In 1988 Eddie Mabo, David Passi and James Rice launched legal action against the Queensland State and after four year of legal procedure, they achieved to end a 200 years statu quo on the question of the land. In the Courrier Mail of the 4th June 2012, Cameron Dick, the former Attorney General, expresses the idea to create a monument to Eddie Mabo in order to remind this historical episode.

To follow the Cameron Dick’s idea, what should be the most appropriate form to this monument?  The most classic form combines a human figure on pedestal. The Aboriginal underline the fact that this judgement overcomes the idea of Terra Nullius. However the use of the classic European style may signify a Western appropriation of Aboriginal history. The common example of Aboriginal monuments is the Aboriginal Memorial, curated by Djon Mundine.  But a similar monument will not acknowledge the modernity in the Mabo’s action that he uses the Western law against colonialism. Moreover we can argue against the idea of a monument, referring to an old architecture of the 19th century. Indeed, most of our monuments have progressively lost their meaning to become part of the public furniture such as benches and streetlights. Eddy Mabo and his fights should be more teach at school than a subject of a commission.

During the last few days, the Diamond Jubilee of the Queen has been the centre of the information when the 20th Birthday of the Mabo’s decision was briefly evoked. This fact underlines how the Mabo’s struggle still concerns the Contemporary Australia and proves that country does not put an end with its colonial History..