26 January
Read more about our position on 26 January and the Stolen Generations Marker we are developing.
13 February: Anniversary of National Apology to the Stolen Generation
On 13 February 2008, a historic national apology External link was delivered by the Australian Parliament to Australia's Stolen Generations.
26 May: National Sorry Day
National Sorry Day was established following the publication of the Bringing Them Home report External link. The report was produced by the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families and was tabled in Federation Parliament on 26 May 1997. The report made 54 recommendations on a wide range of issues, including one which called for the establishment of a community-based National Sorry Day Committee.
The City of Melbourne is developing a Stolen Generations Marker, which will be a permanent place with a significant artwork that reflects the resilience of the Stolen Generations and their families, acknowledges the injustices of the past, and provides future opportunities to move along the path to reconciliation together.
27 May: Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum
The 1967 referendum External link saw more than 90 per cent of eligible Australians vote yes to two changes in the Australian Referendum – to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the national census of the population and to give the Australian Government the power to make uniform, specific laws about Indigenous people (rather than individual states making their own laws). Legislation reflecting the referendum was enacted on 10 August 1967.
27 May to 3 June: National Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation Week External link celebrates the rich culture and history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It's an 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.
3 June: Mabo Day
On 3 June 1992, the High Court of Australia handed down its decision on Mabo v the State of Queensland (No. 2) External link, a native title claim by Eddie Mabo and others on behalf of the Meriam People of Murray Island, Queensland. The High Court's decision rejected the notion of Australia as terra nullius, meaning empty land or land belonging to nobody, at the time of European arrival and colonisation.
The term Native Title was used to describe and recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people may have existing rights and interests in the land and waters, according to traditional laws and customs that have survived beyond European arrival; and that these rights can be recognised by the common law. In the Torres Strait region, Mabo Day is recognised as a public holiday.
July: NAIDOC Week
NAIDOC External link celebrations are held around Australia in July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. NAIDOC originally stood for the National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee and a committee that was once responsible for organising national activities during NAIDOC Week. The committee's acronym has evolved into the name of the week itself.
Wurundjeri Week
Wurundjeri Week runs from the first Monday in August to that Sunday. It is a time to recognise and celebrate the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin, Traditional Owners of much of the land governed by the City of Melbourne.
Wurundjeri Week is close to another significant date, the anniversary of the passing of William Barak. Barak was Ngurungaeta (leader) of the Wurundjeri people from 1874, to his passing on 15 August 1903. He is a revered Ancestor to Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung, and vital to the story of narrm (Melbourne).
Learn more about the Traditional Owners’ history, culture, ancestors, language, significant places and achievements by visiting:
Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation External link
Mapping Aboriginal Melbourne External link
