Every year workplaces, schools, early learning services, community groups, reconciliation groups, and people right across the country host a range of activities and events during National Reconciliation Week (NRW).
The dates for NRW are the same each year: 27 May to 3 June. Look through the calendar to see how you can mark NRW at an event near you.
Hosting your own NRW event? Head to the Events page to add it to the calendar.
Please note: the events on this calendar are not the responsibility of Reconciliation Australia. If you have any questions regarding an event, please contact the organisers.
Since colonisation, the family history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is marked by forced removals, relocation to missions, and government policies that suppressed language and culture. Yet amongst this are stories of resistance, resilience, hope and survival. The National Library supports reconciliation by preserving and making available records that document the history, experiences, and voices of First Nations people.
Our special ‘behind the scenes’ display of resources includes a visit to the Library’s Oral History recording studios and the Bringing Them Home Oral History Project. This project recorded 340 deeply personal stories from people affected by the laws and policies that created the Stolen Generations. The tour group will then meet with our expert librarians for an introduction to available resources for researching their own First Nations family history here at the Library, and online via Trove.
Paul Girrawah House has multiple First Nation ancestries from the South-East Canberra region, including the Ngambri-Ngurmal (Walgalu), Pajong (Gundungurra), Wallabollooa (Ngunnawal) and Erambie/Brungle (Wiradyuri) family groups.
Paul acknowledges his diverse First Nation history, he particularly identifies as a descendant of Onyong aka Jindoomang from Weereewaa (Lake George) and Henry ‘Black Harry’ Williams from Namadgi who were both multilingual, essentially Walgalu-Ngunnawal-Wiradjuri speaking warriors and Ngunnawal–Wallaballooa man William Lane aka ‘Billy the Bull’ - Murrjinille.
Paul was born at the old Canberra hospital in the centre of his ancestral country and strongly acknowledges his First Nation matriarch ancestors, in particular his mother Dr Aunty Matilda House-Williams and grandmother, Ms Pearl Simpson-Wedge.
Paul completed a Bachelor of Community Management from Macquarie University, and Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage and Management from CSU.
Paul provided the Welcome to Country for the 47th Opening of Federal Parliament in 2022. Paul is Board Director, Ngambri Local Aboriginal Land Council, Member Indigenous Reference Group, National Museum of Australia and Australian Government Voice Referendum Engagement Group.
Paul works on country with the ANU, First Nations Portfolio as a Senior Community Engagement Officer
Reconciliation Australia acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website contains images or names of people who have passed away.
