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National Reconciliation Week: 27 May – 3 June, 2022

News/National Reconciliation Week: 27 May – 3 June, 2022
National Reconciliation week poster
Published 27 May 2022
National Reconciliation Action Week: 27 May – 3 June, 2022

“Be Brave. Make Change.” is a challenge to all Australians – individuals, families, communities, organisations and governments.

Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation, so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians.
National Reconciliation Week 2022: Be Brave. Make Change.

What is National Reconciliation Action Week?

National Reconciliation Action Week is about recognising and celebrating the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander groups and considering how these cultural identities make Australia a unique country.

This is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

27 May 1967 
On this day, a resounding 90.7% of Australian’s voted yes to give the Australian Government power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and recognise them in the Census. Every single state and territory had a majority result for the ‘Yes’ vote, making it was one of the most successful referendums in Australia’s history. A huge victory, this vote signalled a change in the mindset of Australia’s majority and opened the door to First Nations Australian agency, bringing to light many strong leaders and organisations, and the expectation that things could be different. Change was possible, and they were willing to fight for it.


3 June 1992 
On this day, the Australian High Court delivered the Mabo decision, the culmination of Eddie Koiki Mabo’s challenge to the legal fiction of ‘terra nullius’ (land belonging to no one) on which British claims to possession of Australia were based. This led to the legal recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of lands. This recognition inserted the legal doctrine of native title into Australian law.

Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.


Be Brave. Make Change.

Last year Reconciliation Australia encouraged all Australians to take action; not just in National Reconciliation Week, but every week of the year.

This year we ask everyone to make changes where they live, work, play and socialise. Check out Reconciliation Australia’s event calendar to get involved in events near you.

This week we will be sharing resources, stories and ways you can get involved. So keep an eye out for more information and Be Brave. Make Change!
Get involved >>
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Share Our Pride

Share our Pride is designed to take you on an awareness-raising journey.

Visit Reconciliation Australia’s Share our Pride page where you can have a glimpse of how life looks from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective.

Get a taste of traditional cultures and learn about our shared history by reading through the chapters below. 
  1. First Australians 
  2. Our Culture
  3. Our Shared History
  4. Beyond the Myths
  5. Respectful Relationships
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Recap of our Town Hall

In March we ran a Town Hall where we discussed our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), how we can build awareness and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions, and to support the implementation of our reconciliation initiatives.

If you missed the town hall, or would like to watch it again, you can watch the recording on the intranet.
We encourage everyone to get involved in National Reconciliation Action Week events near you. If you would like to share your experiences, photos, stories, provide feedback, ask a question, or join the RAP Working Group, please email [email protected]

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