Koorie Heritage Trust Inc

04/06/2026

Last night, we came together to celebrate the powerful legacy of Eddie Koiki Mabo at our annual Mabo Day Celebration Concert! It was truly an unforgettable night that brought community together through culture, music and song.

We proudly showcased our Torres Strait Islander talent who brought their unique stories and sounds to the stage, including musician, educator and cultural storyteller Jessie Lloyd, the soulful sounds and melodies of Kee’ahn, the deep baritone of John Wayne Parsons and the Dukes, and randals dad on the dj decks; not forgetting our amazing MC for the night, lawyer turned comedian Leon Filewood and Meriam woman Kerry Arabena sharing about the importance of language.

We also thank Aunty Pauline Cassidy, TSI elder living in Narrm, for sharing some heartfelt words and memories of Eddie Mabo, who was a great mentor to her and Wurundjeri man Daniel Ross for Welcoming us to Wurundjeri Country.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all the performers, speakers and crew. A special thanks also to our amazing AUSLAN interpreters who ensured the evening was accessible to all.

This evening was proudly hosted by Koorie Heritage Trust, with support from our partners the City of Melbourne and Fed Square.

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Photos by proud TSI photographer Luke Currie-Richardson, 2026

03/06/2026

Today is Mabo Day!

On this day in 1992, the High Court of Australia recognised Native Title, thanks to the courageous fight of Eddie Koiki Mabo. His legacy overturned the long-held colonial myth of terra nullius, paving the way for subsequent native title claims and forever changing the course of history for First Peoples.

The Australian Parliament passed the Native Title Act 1993, which provided a framework for First Peoples to claim native title to their traditional lands. Today marks a powerful reminder of truth, justice, and the ongoing struggle for land rights on this continent.

We invite you to watch this video that was aired on The Point, NITV's flagship news and current affairs program in 2023, ‘Looking back at the landmark Mabo Decision’, which reflects on the life and legacy of Eddie Koiki Mab who took up the fight for land rights, and won.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjQw2BbLwrs&t=2s

Don’t forget to join us tonight at our Free Mabo Day Concert for a free, family friendly evening of live Torres Strait Islander music and community!
🗓️ Wednesday 3 June 2026, 6:00PM–8:30PM
📍 The Edge, Fed Square, Naarm (Melbourne)
Entry is FREE, but RSVP essential. Head to the link in bio to RSVP

It’s been 31 years since the High Court of Australia handed down th...

01/06/2026

Swipe to see What’s On in June at KHT!

Experience KHT’s newest exhibition, ‘Ray Thomas: Yeerung’s Journey’, a major solo exhibition of paintings, carvings and personal belongings by Brabrawooloong Gunnai artist, Ray Thomas.

The Mabo Day Celebration Concert is fast approaching! Join us for a night filled with live Torres Strait Islander music, entertainment and sing-alongs. Entry is free but RSVPs required.

Secure your spot in our special Design from Country workshop! Participants will be able to try their hand at a number of different materials, crafts and skills inspired and led by Georgia Boseley (Central and Eastern Arrernte), Alena Landers (Djugun, Noongar, Yamatji) and Emma Stenhouse (Ngarrindjeri).

Learn more about our exhibitions, hands-on workshops, walking tours and more at the link in our bio 🔗

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Photo credits
1: Installation view of ‘Design from Country’ at shopKHT, Koorie Heritage Trust, 14–24 May 2026. Photos by Christian Capurro, 2026.
2: Artwork concept by Peta Duncan, 2026
3: Photograph by Ben Lucas
4: Left to Right - Emma Stenhouse, Woven Basket; Alena Landers, Dog Cutout; Georgia Boseley, Woven Wall Hanging. Photos by Savi Ross, 2026.
5: Installation view of ‘occupation studies: ngayanhurra bayarral Birrarung (they tried to tame Birrarung)’, Koorie Heritage Trust, 21 March–13 September 2026. Photo by James Henry, 2026.
6: Photo by Benny Clark, 2026
7 & 8: Courtesy of Tourism Australia, 2022.
9: Ray Thomas (Brabrawooloong Gunnai), ‘Yeerung (emu wren) on Country’, 2018, oil on canvas. Collection of the artist. Photo by Christian Capurro.

31/05/2026

Mabo Day Concert Lineup! 🌺

Join us for an evening that honours culture, community, and the extraordinary legacy of Eddie Koiki Mabo, a man whose courage and determination reshaped the history of this country. The program will feature live performances for a heartfelt and vibrant tribute.

Featuring:
Jessie Lloyd (Mualgal, Kaurareg, Guguu Yimithirr and Burri Gubba)

Kee’ahn (Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal, Torres Strait Islander)

John Wayne Parsons + the Dukes (Yuggerabul and Meriam Le)

randals dad (Northern Kaantju, Girramay and Badu Island [Murri])

MC Leon Filewood (Kemer Kemer Meriam, Moalgal, Kaurareg & Kuku Yalanji)

Presented by the Koorie Heritage Trust in partnership with the City of Melbourne and Fed Square.

Mabo Day Celebration Concert
🗓️ Wednesday 3 June 2026, 6–8:30pm (doors open at 5:30pm)
📍 The Edge, Fed Square, Naarm (Melbourne)
Entry is FREE, but RSVP essential.

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Artwork concept by Peta Duncan, 2026
Photos courtesy of the artists

30/05/2026

As part of KHT’s National Reconciliation Week program, join Brabrawooloong Gunnai artist, Ray Thomas for an informal Floor Talk at his brand new exhibition, ‘Yeerung’s Journey’ now open at KHT!

This is an opportunity to experience this special body of work alongside the artist himself and gain insight into Ray, his work, and the stories behind each piece.

‘Yeerung’s Journey’ offers insight into Ray’s evolution as both an artist and a cultural leader. Working across painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking and, more recently, large-scale murals, Ray has developed a distinctive and powerful visual language grounded in family, Country, memory and lived experience. His work speaks to both personal and collective histories, expressing resilience, cultural continuity and healing.

📅Monday 1 June, 2pm–3pm
📍KHT Birrarung Building, Fed Square, Narrm
Entry is free but booking is required. Visit the link in bio to secure your spot 🔗

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Image 1: Photograph by Angela Lynkushka
Image 2: Ray Thomas (Brabrawooloong Gunnai), Yeerung (emu wren) on Country, 2018, oil on canvas. Collection of the artist. Photo by Christian Capurro 2026

29/05/2026

Koorie Heritage Trust’s touring exhibition ‘JXSH MVIR: Forever I Live’ is now open at the Art Gallery of Swan Hill, the last venue on its regional tour across Victoria.

A touring exhibition supported by Creative Victoria’s ‘Touring Victoria’ initiative, and originally presented by the KHT in the Birrarung Building, Fed Square, between 9 March and 14 July 2024, JXSH MVIR: Forever I Live is a retrospective exhibition of artworks by the late Gunditjmara, Yorta Yorta and Barkindji artist Josh Muir (1991 – 2022).

During his relatively short, yet prolific career, Josh produced a vast range of paintings and digital artworks that were characterised by a unique vernacular of contemporary iconography, developed by the artist over the course of his career. Josh embraced digital methods of production and a visual language influenced by street art, a pop aesthetic and incorporated various forms of design. His works simultaneously maintain the continuous tradition of storytelling that is inseparable from his cultural identity as a Gunditjmara, Yorta Yorta and Barkindji man.

Don’t miss this opportunity to experience a special exhibition before the tour finishes this July.

JXSH MVIR Forever I Live
📅 29 May–19 July 2026
📍Art Gallery of Swan Hill
Free entry