...18 Generations...

'There were a total of 18 generations before my grandfather's time that occupied this land and of course, from my grandfather to my father and myself makes it up to 20 generations all together. That we've occupied this area. The original people, of course came from Papua New Guinea and settled here. It was owned originally by one man, then over the years as the generations grew, they then subdivided the land. So for 18 generations we have lived here until the London Missionary Society came and moved them across to where we are now at the front village.'

Keywords: ancestors, family, Las, London Missionary Society, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Papua New Guinea, 1989

Eddie Mabo interviewed by Trevor Graham, at Las, 1989.
Author: Graham, Trevor
© Yarra Bank Films P/L
Source: Mabo, Edward Koiki