This is an NFSA Digital Learning resource. See all Digital Learning websites.
Gardener At James Cook University
More Information

Mabo was a full time community activist; but he also needed to make a living.

And from 1967 to '75, he worked as a gardener at James Cook University's Townsville campus.

He also spent many hours in the university library; and, at lunchtimes, he could be found sitting in his gardening clothes, reading the six volume report on the Torres Strait, by the Cambridge Anthropological Expedition.

Mabo's fascination with learning increased. He even delivered guest lectures, giving academics, and their students, a first hand taste of Islander culture.

In return, they helped him understand the white man's system and the white man's law. And what he learned deeply offended his sense of justice.
...We only had a tin of jam...
Text
 
education, indigenous Australians, James Cook University, Mer, Queensland Government, racism
...Primary Teacher...
Text
1981-1984
education, James Cook University, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo, Edward Koiki
Activist
Topic
1962-1992
activism, human rights, indigenous rights, Mabo, Edward Koiki, politics, Torres Strait, Townsville
E. K. Mabo and A.C. Haddon
Image and Text
1967-1975
Cambridge Anthropological Expedition, gardening, Haddon, A.C., James Cook University, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Townsville
Intellectual Environment
Image and Text
 
James Cook University, Mabo, Bonita, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo family, Townsville
...Very Politically Active...
Text
 
activism, James Cook University, Loos, Noel, Mabo, Edward Koiki, resistance, Townsville
...He Was an Intellectual...
Text
 
James Cook University, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Reynolds, Henry (Prof.), Townsville
...Excerpt from Mabo lecture...
Text
1980s
James Cook University, Mabo, Benny, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mabo, Maiga, totems
Exile Continues
Topic
1973
Mabo, Edward Koiki, Murray Island
Cambridge Anthropological Expedition
Topic
1898
anthropology, Cambridge Anthropological Expedition, Haddon, A.C., Mer, Murray Island, Torres Strait
James Cook University campus
URL
 
James Cook University, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Townsville