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In conversation with Thomas Mayo - Always Was, Always Will Be
Presented by the Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival
Thu
22
Thu 22 Jan 6:30 PM
Margaret River HEART
Wheelchair
Accessible Toilet
Companion Card
Assistance Animals
General Admission
120 Mins
January
Join award winning author and human rights advocate Thomas Mayo for a powerful conversation inspired by his latest book, Always Was, Always Will Be, a reflection on the Voice referendum and a call to reignite hope for the path ahead.
Always Was, Always Will Be offers a deeply personal examination of Australia’s ongoing struggle for Indigenous recognition and justice. Drawing on his decades of experience as a union leader and national Indigenous figure, Mayo offers a guide to hope based on the lessons from the past, drawing inspiration from the many great Australians he has met on his journey.
In the lead up to 26 January, this talk will explore what it means to be Australian in these often-uncertain times and how communities can come together to create a new cultural identity through positive change.
This event will be hosted by Pam Townsend.
Supported by: Arts Margaret River, Margaret River Bookshop and Hardie Grant
Image credit: Ferne Millen
Bio (taken from https://www.thomasmayo.com.au):
Thomas Mayo is a Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander author who was born and raised in Darwin.
After working on the wharves in Darwin and Sydney, he took on leadership roles within the Maritime Union of Australia. Thomas Mayo was elected as an Assistant National Secretary in 2023.
As a signatory to the Uluru Statement from the Heart in 2017, he has been instrumental in driving the national campaign for Constitutional Recognition of Australia’s First Nations peoples ever since.
Thomas Mayo's books discuss First Nations people’s struggle for justice, recognition and equity.
In 2024, ‘The Voice to Parliament Handbook’, written by Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien, was named the Book of the Year as well as Social Impact Book of the Year and Non-Fiction Book of the Year of the Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs).
Always Was, Always Will Be offers a deeply personal examination of Australia’s ongoing struggle for Indigenous recognition and justice. Drawing on his decades of experience as a union leader and national Indigenous figure, Mayo offers a guide to hope based on the lessons from the past, drawing inspiration from the many great Australians he has met on his journey.
In the lead up to 26 January, this talk will explore what it means to be Australian in these often-uncertain times and how communities can come together to create a new cultural identity through positive change.
This event will be hosted by Pam Townsend.
- Thursday 22 January 2026
- Margaret River HEART
- Doors: 6pm
- Talk: 6.30pm followed by book sales and signings
- Tickets: $10
Supported by: Arts Margaret River, Margaret River Bookshop and Hardie Grant
Image credit: Ferne Millen
Bio (taken from https://www.thomasmayo.com.au):
Thomas Mayo is a Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander author who was born and raised in Darwin.
After working on the wharves in Darwin and Sydney, he took on leadership roles within the Maritime Union of Australia. Thomas Mayo was elected as an Assistant National Secretary in 2023.
As a signatory to the Uluru Statement from the Heart in 2017, he has been instrumental in driving the national campaign for Constitutional Recognition of Australia’s First Nations peoples ever since.
Thomas Mayo's books discuss First Nations people’s struggle for justice, recognition and equity.
In 2024, ‘The Voice to Parliament Handbook’, written by Thomas Mayo and Kerry O'Brien, was named the Book of the Year as well as Social Impact Book of the Year and Non-Fiction Book of the Year of the Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs).
