Titled The Hard Work of Unity, the 2026 lecture will consider how collective strength is built and sustained, and whether Australians are as divided as the opponents of progress would have us believe.
Mayo, a Kaurareg Aboriginal and Kalkalgal, Erubamle Torres Strait Islander, came to national prominence as a co-leader of the campaign for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament. He has worked with schools, community groups, businesses and governments on issues of justice, recognition and equity for First Nations people.
He is also an accomplished author and orator, with seven books to his name, including Voice to Parliament Handbook, which was named Book of the Year at the 2024 Australian Book Industry Awards. Mayo is Assistant National Secretary of the Maritime Union of Australia and serves on several boards, including the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
The Frank Archibald Memorial Lecture was established in 1986, the first year of UNE’s Oorala Aboriginal Centre. It honours Frank Archibald, a respected Aboriginal elder from the Armidale region, and his wife Sarah, who were important members of the local Aboriginal community.
The first lecture was delivered by Aboriginal scholar and educator Eric Willmot, establishing a tradition of providing a public forum for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander speakers to discuss issues affecting their communities, particularly education.
Over four decades, the lecture has featured Indigenous leaders, academics, activists, artists, politicians and community leaders including Charles Perkins, Dr Pat O’Shane, Mick Dodson, Noel Pearson, Linda Burney, Jackie Huggins, Professor Michelle Trudgett, Dr Stan Grant and Yvonne Weldon.
The series has never sought to present a single Indigenous perspective. Instead, it has provided a space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to put forward ideas, challenge prevailing thinking and debate the issues affecting their communities.
Director of the Oorala Aboriginal Centre, Sam Fowler said the Frank Archibald Lecture has always been a space where bold ideas meet honest conversation.
“Thomas Mayo embodies exactly that spirit. His work reminds us that unity is not passive, it is built, fought for, and sustained through courage and commitment. We are honoured to welcome him to UNE for this milestone lecture.”
In The Hard Work of Unity, Mayo will consider whether differences have always existed alongside a shared cause and what it takes to build the imperfect but purposeful unity needed to pursue justice.
The lecture will also look beyond Indigenous affairs, asking what Australians can learn about resisting division, renewing democratic purpose and working together towards a fairer future.
The Frank Archibald Memorial Lecture will be held at UNE on Thursday, 8 October. More information.
Event details:
- Date: Thursday 8 October 2026
- Time: 6:00 - 7:30pm
- Venue: Oorala Aboriginal Centre and ZOOM webinar
