National Reconciliation Week is held annually on May 27 to June 3 to mark significant historical milestones in the journey of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
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These dates mark two landmark moments in Australia’s reconciliation journey: the 1967 referendum and the historic Mabo decision, respectively.
The 1967 referendum saw over 90 per cent of Australians vote to give the Commonwealth the power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and recognise them in the national census.
June 3 commemorates the High Court of Australia’s landmark Mabo decision in 1992, which legally recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a special relationship to the land – a relationship that existed prior to colonisation and still exists today. This recognition paved the way for land rights or Native Title.
A range of activities will be held across the Hastings including a Reconciliation Walk from the Food for Less car park at 9.45am on Saturday, May 27.
On May 30, there will be a public art water trail, while on June 1, Yun Yi Barragay Bushtucker Boardwalk Tour happens at Sea Acres.
On June 3, a moonlight movie will screen Mabo Life of an Island Man in the Hay Street forecourt from 6pm.