Cathy Freeman, Patty Mills, Adam Goodes, Eddie Mabo, and Neville Bonner. I have just named five Influential Aboriginal Australian men and women, all united through activism, seeking a just and equal Australian society. May 27th to June 3rd marks National Reconciliation Week, where Australians, as individuals, organisations, and governments alike, have been challenged to “Be Brave” and “Make Change.”
The date in which National Reconciliation Week falls on, commemorates two extremely significant milestones in Aboriginal Australian history. On the 27th of May 1967, over 90% of Australians gave their vote in a national referendum, leading to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people being recognised in the Census. June 3rd, 1992, marks the day that the Australian High Court delivered the infamous ‘Mabo Decision.’ This decision paved the way for Native Title, legally recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of lands.
Since then, former Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, delivered an official apology on the 13th of February 2008, expressing the regret for past government policies. National Sorry Day was on Thursday 26th May, with the purpose of remembering and commemorating the mistreatment of Australia’s indigenous population. This is a national event, held annually since 1998, with a strong importance to Australia’s rich history and culture.
Therefore, while we are in the midst of these important times, we must reflect as a school and wider community, as to how we are paying our respects to those past, present and emerging. I challenge each and every one of us, in our school and wider community, to fully immerse and embrace Reconciliation Week, in order to be brave, and make change.
Edmunds to the Fore,
Matthew McGrath
College Academic Vice-Captain
Stewardship of Liberating Education