Barbara Holborow (1930–2012) served for 12 years as a magistrate in the Children's Court, where her compassion and outspokenness were legendary – perhaps because of her own beginnings.

It is 1993. Dr John Hewson exclaims to the Parliament that the passing of the 'Mabo Bill’ will be a day of shame for Australia.

This clip introduces Murray Island in the Torres Strait and some of the plaintiffs involved in the claim for native title over the island – James Rice, Father Dave Passi and Koiki 'Eddie’ Mabo.

John Howard responds to the High Court’s decision on the native title of the Wik and Thayorre peoples in Wik Peoples v Queensland (1996) 141 ALR 129.

Peter Yu of the Yawuru and Bunuba, Kimberley Land Council, talks about Indigenous relationship to land and the High Court decision in Mabo v Queensland (No 2) (1992) 175&nbsp

Professor Garth Nettheim presents historic background to the Murray Island case accompanied by footage of the Torres Strait Islands. Summary by Liz McNiven.

The clip begins with a black-and-white photograph of the Murray Island Courthouse taken in November 1898.