National Reconciliation Week – 27 May to 3 June – a time for all Australians to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation.
In 2023, activities during the week were made that much more significant as the nation prepared for the Voice to Parliament referendum.
The theme Be a Voice for Generations called on Australians to honour our long history of allyship and solidarity to tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation for the generations to come.
Giving voice to the theme was the overwhelming response to the Voices For Generations project, which saw more than 500 choirs and school groups from across the country come together to sing From Little Things Big Things Grow by Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody; an iconic Australian song that pays tribute to the Gurindji people and is symbolic of the movement for First Nations equality and land rights in Australia.
The choirs reflected the diversity of Australian society: schools, trade unions, disability groups, AUSLAN, LGBQTI+, faith-based and culturally and linguistically diverse groups participated.
Reconciliation around the country
The national parliamentary breakfast united reconciliation supporters from around the country at a critical and historic time in our reconciliation journey. It featured a panel discussion with L-R: Craig Foster, Semara Jose, and Aunty Geraldine Atkinson, moderated by Narelda Jacobs. Photo: Andrew Taylor.
Reconciliation NSW’s community information session on the Uluru Statement from the Heart and the referendum (pictured). They also hosted an in-person and online breakfast, and launched the Schools Reconciliation Challenge Exhibition: Under One Sky. Photo: supplied.
Cootamundra Girls Aboriginal Corporation’s Sorry Day event was the largest gathering of Coota Girls survivors held in over 10 years. Djinama Yilaga Choir (pictured) were among the performers. Photo: Reconciliation Australia.
Over 1,500 supporters came together in Tasmania to hear from local speakers and acclaimed journalist Ray Martin at Reconciliation Tasmania’s Devonport, Launceston and Hobart breakfasts. Pictured are Ray (L) and Palawa man Ged Watts. Photo: Chris Crerar.
Reconciliation WA hosted their virtual breakfast live from the Boola Bardip WA Museum, and held the annual Walk for Reconciliation at Kaarta Koomba (attendees pictured). Photo: Todd Russell, The Digital Factory.
Reconciliation Australia and Reconciliation Victoria were at the Long Walk in Melbourne, with colouring-in activities and yarning circles covering self-determination, truth-telling, and the NRW theme. Photo: Reconciliation Australia.
In 2023, Reconciliation SA’s National Reconciliation Week Breakfast commemorated National Sorry Day. Photo: Samuel Graves.
Thousands enjoyed the winter sunshine at Reconciliation Day at the National Arboretum hosted by the ACT Reconciliation Council. Photo: Reconciliation Australia.
This article is from the 50th edition of Reconciliation News magazine. Read the rest of the issue.
Looking for National Reconciliation Week activities in your state or territory? Find out more about the Australian Reconciliation Network.
