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Eddie Koiki Mabo Timeline

Accompanying website for the Eddie Koiki Mabo Timeline inside the Eddie Koiki Mabo Library, James Cook University

A star is named

On 3 June 2015 (Mabo Day), the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences dedicated and named a star after Eddie Koiki Mabo in the Sydney Southern Star Catalogue. ​

The naming ceremony took place at Sydney Observatory in NSW. The star sits in both the Southern Cross and in the large constellation Tagai, a massive southern-sky constellation which is of great importance to Torres Strait Islander culture where it is used for nautical navigation. ​

 

Photograph of stars in the Tagai constellation, showing the location of Crux pano Koiki

The star named Koiki (circled) located below and to the west of Acrux, the bottom of the Southern Cross.
Photography by Geoff Wyatt. Reproduced courtesy of Geoff Wyatt and the Powerhouse Museum. All rights reserved.

 

“The stars have great significance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Rose Hiscock, Director of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences, told NITV. “It is fitting that we honour Uncle Eddie through the dedication of a star in our most iconic constellation, the Southern Cross.”

We acknowledge the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first inhabitants of the nation and acknowledge Traditional Owners of the lands where our staff and students, live, learn and work.Acknowledgement of Country

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