The Great Northern Expedition
The Murray Islanders' case had survived by the barest of margins.
The focus now returned to the Queensland Supreme Court and the determination of the facts.
After an adjournment that had lasted more than two years, Justice Moynihan reconvened hearings on the 2nd of May 1989, and a most remarkable period in this groundbreaking case began.
The Court travelled to the Torres Strait, and held hearings on Mer and Thursday Islands. Never before had it ventured so far north. As Justice Moynihan said, it was the Supreme Court's 'Great Northern Expedition'.
Travelling to Dauer
Image
May, 1989
Dauar, Keon-Cohen, Bryan, Kobere, Henry, Mabo, Edward Koiki, McIntyre, Greg, Mer, Rice, James, sea claims
...clearly defined boundaries...
Video
1989
inheritance, Land Bilong Islanders, land boundaries, land ownership, McIntyre, Greg, Mer, Murray Island
Mer, Waier & Dauar
Topic
Dauar, Dauar, HMS Pandora, Mer, Meriam culture, Meriam history, Meriam history, Murray Island, Waier
...Silence all stand please...
Video
1989
Great Northern expedition, Land Bilong Islanders, Mabo Case, Moynihan, Justice Martin, Murray Island, Supreme Court of Queensland
Land Boundaries
Topic
boundary markers, clans, inheritance, land ownership, land use, oral tradition
Meriam Land Disputes
Topic
Dauar, Depoma, Marwer, land boundaries, land ownership, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Malo's laws, Malo's laws, Mer, Meriam culture, Meriam history, Murray Island Native Court, sea rights, trespass, Waier
The Murray Islanders' Evidence
Topic
1986
evidence, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Murray Island, plaintiffs, witnesses
...The View...
Video
1989
Land Bilong Islanders, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Moynihan, Justice Martin, Murray Island, Supreme Court of Queensland
...a moving experience...
Image and Text
May, 1989
evidence, Meriam culture, Murray Island, No Ordinary Judgement, Sharp, Dr. Nonie, Supreme Court of Queensland, witnesses
Defending Territories & Making Peace
Topic
Depoma, Marwer, land boundaries, land disputes, land ownership, Las, Mabo Case, Mer, Meriam culture, Papua New Guinea
Failure To Agree On The Facts
Topic
1982-1986
High Court of Australia, Mabo Case, plaintiffs, Queensland, Supreme Court of Queensland
Great Northern Expedition
Topic
1989
Great Northern expedition, Mabo Case, Mabo, Edward Koiki, Mer, Moynihan, Justice Martin, Murray Island, Supreme Court of Queensland
