The event began with a Welcome to Country and a traditional smoking ceremony, before the official opening by the Deputy Mayor, Amanda Cohn. This was followed by the raising of the Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and Australian flags, and entertainment by local young people.
Every year, National Reconciliation Week is celebrated from 27 May to 3 June, with a different theme each year that reinforces and strengthen the journey of reconciliation.
Reconciliation Australia’s theme for 2021, More than a word. Reconciliation takes action, urges the reconciliation movement towards braver and more impactful action.
National Reconciliation Week is dedicated to building on positive, respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and all Australians.
Reconciliation Week reflects on two important historic milestones on the national calendar – the anniversary of the 1967 Referendum in which Australians voted to amend the Constitution to allow the Commonwealth to make laws on behalf of Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander people and include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people on the National Census, and also the High Court Mabo decision of June 1992, which recognised Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander occupancy prior to European settlement.
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