G’day fellow travellers on the road to reconciliation and a lasting treaty with our fellow citizens, the first peoples of this great land we call Australia. This week I just want to give you a timely reminder of the approaching National Reconciliation Week. So, what is the significance of Reconciliation Week and why does it fall at this time each year?
National Reconciliation Week 2026 runs from 27th May – 3rd June. But these two dates reflect two of the pivotal milestones in the advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander’s struggle for recognition and justice in their own country.
On May 27th 1967, after 10 years of campaigning, a referendum to recognise First Nations peoples in the Australian constitution was held. The lead-up to the poll focused public attention on the fact that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were treated as second-class citizens. Nearly 91% of the electorate voted to amend the Constitution. This change meant that First Nations peoples would be counted as part of the population and acknowledged as equal citizens, and that the Commonwealth would be able to make laws on their behalf. This was seen to reflect public recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as full Australian citizens.
On 3rd June 1992, the High Court of Australia recognised that a group of Torres Strait Islanders, led by Eddie Mabo, held ownership of Mer (Murray Island). In acknowledging the traditional rights of the Meriam people to their land, the court also held that native title existed for all Indigenous people. This landmark decision gave rise to important native title legislation the following year and rendered terra nullius a legal fiction.
In 1993, National Reconciliation Week started as the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation and was supported by Australia’s major faith communities.
In 1996, the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation launched Australia’s first National Reconciliation Week.
In 2000, approximately 300,000 people walked across Sydney Harbour Bridge as part of National Reconciliation Week – and subsequently across bridges in cities and towns throughout Australia – to show their support for reconciliation.
In 2001, Reconciliation Australia was established to continue to provide national leadership on reconciliation.
Today, National Reconciliation Week is celebrated in workplaces, schools and early learning services, community organisations and groups, and by individuals Australia-wide.
This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme is “All In For Reconciliation” and there will be a Flag-raising ceremony at Nillumbik Shire Council Office, 32 Civic Drive, Greensborough, 3088, on Thursday 28th May, ceremony: 10.00am – 10.30am; refreshments: 10.30am – 11.00am. This will be my first flag raising ceremony and I look forward to seeing as many of you as possible there.
Until next week Triganin – see you soon.
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References:
https://www.nillumbik.vic.gov.au/Explore/Events-and-festivals/Events-calendar/National-Reconciliation-Week-Flag-Raising-Ceremony-2026?utm_m
https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/indigenous-referendum
Image: Poster advocating a Yes vote for Aborigines in the 1967 Referendum. (Orphan work, copyright owner(s) could not be determined/contacted. This item is made available online under Section 200AB of the Copyright Act 1968 (Cwlth), used in good faith).