Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation Week coincides with two significant dates in Australia's history:
- 27 May - marks the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum which chose to remove clauses in the Australian Constitution which discriminated against Aboriginal people.
- 3 June - marks the anniversary of the High Court of Australia's judgement in the Mabo case, which legally recognised that Indigenous people had a special relationship to the land.
Both of these important historic dates are not only the reason we have the opportunity to celebrate reconciliation but were massive moments in history where many First Nations people had campaigned tirelessly to advance the rights of the people who have inhabited this land for hundreds of thousands of generations. Each year National Reconciliation Week celebrates the rich culture and history of the First Australians. It is the ideal time for everyone to join the reconciliation conversation and to think about how we can help turn around the disadvantage experienced by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Recommended Reading
Each year our Library team put together a display of resources that are available to borrow from our e-collection or off the shelf.
Ongoing journey
Reconciliation is an ongoing journey that reminds us that while generations of Australians have fought hard for meaningful changes, future gains are likely to take just as much, if not more, effort What does change look like to you? And what can you do to help make it happen? Bellingen Shire Council acknowledges that the first people of this area are the Aboriginal people of the Gumbayngiir Nation. Council is committed to working together with all members of the community to support reconciliation and encourage acceptance and respect for a diverse range of cultures.
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