...Absolute secrecy...
Barbara Hocking enjoined everyone who knew about the proposed proceedings to complete secrecy: Queensland authorities must not get to hear of the claim before a writ was issued. The Islanders had no difficulty following this instruction. Some of us interpreted the caution quite rigidly.
Preparatory research began and intending plaintiffs were contacted quietly. It was good to have one plaintiff from 'each side' of the islands: the Meriam side (Eddie Mabo from Piadram clan on the eastern side of Mer, with his aunty Celuia Salee who lived at Mer); and the Dauar side (Sam Passi, the nameholder for Passi land at Dauar, the area of the southwest clans, with Reverend Dave Passi, a younger brother deeply committed to a land case).
Both Sam Passi and Eddie Mabo believed themselves to be descendants of the Zogo le or 'high priests' of the sacred order of Malo-Bomai.
A fifth plaintiff was added: James Rice, who was chairman of the Murray Island Council at the time, and who claimed lands at both Dauar and Mer.
Preparatory research began and intending plaintiffs were contacted quietly. It was good to have one plaintiff from 'each side' of the islands: the Meriam side (Eddie Mabo from Piadram clan on the eastern side of Mer, with his aunty Celuia Salee who lived at Mer); and the Dauar side (Sam Passi, the nameholder for Passi land at Dauar, the area of the southwest clans, with Reverend Dave Passi, a younger brother deeply committed to a land case).
Both Sam Passi and Eddie Mabo believed themselves to be descendants of the Zogo le or 'high priests' of the sacred order of Malo-Bomai.
A fifth plaintiff was added: James Rice, who was chairman of the Murray Island Council at the time, and who claimed lands at both Dauar and Mer.
Keywords: Dauar, Hocking, Barbara, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Malo-Bomai, No Ordinary Judgement, Passi, Reverend Dave, Passi, Sam, Piadaram, plaintiffs, Rice, James, Sharp, Dr. Nonie, Zogo le, Zogo le, 1981
Sharp, Nonie 1996, 'No Ordinary Judgment', Aboriginal Studies Press.
Author: Kenna, Jonathan
Author: Kenna, Jonathan