Wharfies Mural: Social justice and First Nations Voice

Wharfies Mural: Social justice and First Nations Voice

‘We owe so much to these Union elders depicted on this powerful mural – and all the great men and women [who] worked so hard to see it displayed for our future generations’

Thomas Mayo, October 2022

One of the museum’s most iconic treasures, The Wharfies’ Mural, is now on display for the first time to mark the 150th anniversary of the Maritime Union of Australia. The mural, painted between 1953 and 1993, depicts life on the waterfront and has become a symbol of the fight for workers’ rights and social justice.

Join Matt Poll, a Torres Strait South Sea Islander and Manager of Indigenous Programs at the Museum, in conversation with Thomas Mayo, Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait), former wharfie, activist and author.

They will discuss the stories brought to life in the mural, working as a wharfie, Mayo’s journey around Australia with the sacred canvas of the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and more. Hear inspiring stories of building community unity and consensus; and learn about enshrining a First Nations Voice in the Constitution and Makarrata (coming together for agreement-making and truth-telling).

This Ocean Talks event will be a powerful and heartfelt discussion about social justice, community unity and First Nations Voice.

Tickets include a complimentary drink on arrival and access to all galleries, including our newest exhibitions, the Wharfies’ Mural, Shaped by the Sea and Wildlife Photographer of the Year (usually $25 entry, but free with a ticket to this event).

Adult	$20
Member (with Promo Code)	$12

	Thomas Mayo a Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man. He was a wharf labourer for sixteen years and is an official of the Maritime Union of Australia. Thomas is the author of four books, as well as countless essays and articles. Thomas was inspired to write his first book: Finding the Heart of the Nation – the Journey of the Uluru Statement towards Voice, Treaty and Truth, after being entrusted to carry the sacred Uluru Statement from the Heart canvas around Australia for eighteen months. This journey played a key role in garnering support for a constitutionally enshrined First Nations Voice. Thomas’ current work covers historical and contemporary First Nations struggles, biographical narratives, fatherhood, masculinity, love and race. His work is a unique blend of powerful truth telling with a decisive call to action.
Curator Bio:
	Matt Poll is the Manager of Indigenous Programs at the Australian National Maritime Museum. Previously, he has worked as the Curator of Indigenous Heritage collections of the Chau Chak Wing Museum; the repatriation project officer at the University of Sydney; and the Artistic director of Boomalli Aboriginal Artists Co-operative (2005-2009). His recent curatorial work includes co-curating the new permanent exhibition at the Australian National Maritime Museum, “Shaped by the Sea” (2022) and two exhibitions at the Chau Chak Wing Museum, “Gululu dhuwala djalkiri: welcome to the Yolŋu foundations” and “Ambassadors” (2020). Matt’s curatorial projects focus on embedding consultation process in exhibition design. In 2022, he published an article in the Aboriginal History Journal, “Bark Paintings as ambassadors, 1948-63, and the circle back to Aboriginal cultural agency”.

Photography by: ANMM Collection Gift from the Maritime Union of Australia

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