Thomas Mayo
Signatory and advocate for the Uluru Statement from the Heart
About
Thomas Mayo is a Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander man. He is the Assistant National Secretary of the MUA.
Thomas is a signatory of the Uluru Statement from the Heart and has been a leading advocate since its inception in May 2017. He is the Chairperson of the Northern Territory Indigenous Labor Network and a director on the Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition board.
Thomas is the author of six books published by Hardie Grant and has many articles and essays published across the major media providers.
His latest book is co-authored with well-respected journalist, Kerry O’Brien: The Voice to Parliament Handbook - All the details you need; published 17 May 2023.
Books, essays and articles by Thomas Mayo
Books
Essays
A dream that cannot be denied - On the road to Freedom Day. Published online by Griffith Review 20
When the heart speaks - Learning the language of listening in Australia. Published in Griffith Review 70, Generosities of Spirit, 2020
Time to heal: Uluru healing the people and the land. Published in What Happens Next, Reconstructing Australia after COVID-19, 2020
Where truths collide - Challenging Australia’s shaky foundations. Published in Griffith Review 76, Acts of Reckoning, 2022
Understanding the Uluru Statement: Taking the invitation to the people through the classrooms Journal of Professional Learning 2022
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Articles
Getting the people behind the Uluru Statement, The Saturday Paper 2018
We won’t give up on the Uluru Statement. Indigenous X 2018
Constitutional reform: A line was drawn in the red sand at Uluru. SBS Online 2018
Lessons from Vincent Lingiari: a Voice is worth fighting for. The Age/The Sydney Morning Herald 2019
The Voice is our movement, it does not belong to the politicians. SBS Online 2019
There’s no power and authority for us in the status quo. Indigenous X 2020
When inaction can become genocide. SBS Online 2020
Uluru Statement ‘the campaign of our lifetimes’. National Indigenous Times 2020
How we resolve the Australia Day date debate. Junkee 2021
Raising our Voice: it’s time for constitutional recognition. Crikey 2021
I write while my children steal cars and rob houses: the awful human cost of racist stereotypes. The Guardian 2021
History shows why clean energy must be done differently for First Nations People. Canberra Times 2022
The answer to Australia Day is already right in front of us. The Age/The Sydney Morning Herald 2022
Adam Bandt needs to google the Uluru Statement from the Heart Crikey 2022
Our people have never enjoyed a vantage point quite like this: the Uluru Statement, 5 years on The Age/Sydney Morning Herald 2022
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The opening chapters in:
Ashley Hay (editor), Generosities of Spirit, Griffith Review 70, 2020
Ashley Hay (editor) with Teela Reid (curator), Acts of Reckoning, Griffith Review 76, 2022
Emma Dawson, Janet McCalman (editors), What Happens Next? Reconstructing Australia after COVID-19, MUP, Melbourne, 2020
Future publications by Thomas Mayo to look out for:
Thomas Mayo and Bernard Namok Jr, All about the Torres Strait Islander Flag, Magabala Books, 2023
Articles featuring Thomas Mayo
Thomas raises awareness about the Uluru Statement By Lisa Tisdell. Port News 2018
Labor’s republic plan described as a slap in the face for Indigenous Australians By Lorena Allam The Guardian November 2018
The Uluru Statement’s incredible 18-month journey across Australia. A feature piece by Helen Pitt 2019
Indigenous Activist Thomas Mayo’s clear statement. A feature piece by Kate Hennessy 2019
Our activism was missing something: The man who lugged the Uluru Statement across Australia A book review by Jeff Sparrow about ‘Finding the Heart of the Nation’ . The Guardian October 2019
Loving ourselves is an act of defiance: Tender and heartbreaking letters from fathers and son A book review by Paul Daley about ‘Dear Son’, September 2021
Why these First Nations men are writing letters to their sons A book review by Jennifer Johnston about Dear Son, September 2021
Thomas Mayo visits Launceston Preparatory school for Reconciliation Week By Satria Dyer-Darmawan, June 2022
Podcasts and Interviews
NITV’s Living Black: Season 25 Episode 8. January 2018 with Karla Grant
Thomas Mayo in conversation with Rabbi Kammins at the Emanuel Synagogue March 2019
Black Magic Woman Podcast Episode 61 with Mundanara Bayles, May 2021
Episode 10: What unity means to author and advocate Thomas Mayo Australia Remade Podcast
Stories behind the Story with Better Reading Thomas Mayo on masculinity, love and culture with Cheryl Akle September 2021
The Guardian’s Book it in Podcast, about Dear Son with Paul Daley Tara June Winch and Thomas Mayo on Indigenous Masculinity December 2021
Find your Voice with Zoe Daniel January 2022
Just a bunch of bullsh*t excuses with Abbie Chatfield April 2022
Cathy McGowan and Thomas Mayo speaking from the heart Wayne Jansson, May 2022
ABC Conversations July 2022 with Charlie King
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Events
Thomas currently has no upcoming events. Check back here for future updates.