ACTCOSS RECONCILIATION CALENDAR This calendar has been developed to reflect on our shared history and to map events that have helped shape the reconciliation journey for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider Australian community. The events in this calendar recognise and celebrate some of the actions and achievements from the past that form the foundation for a shared future and strong relationships built on recognition, respect, trust, and understanding.

26th 1788 — AUSTRALIA DAY Is celebrated on the day the First Fleet arrived at First 1975 — NAIDOC WEEK Celebrates the history, culture and achievements JANUARY Port Jackson. Aboriginal groups in the region are the first to experience JULY Sunday of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. colonisation by the British. 1st 1871 — COMING OF THE LIGHT A religious and cultural ceremony On Australia’s celebration of the 150th anniversary 26th 1938 — DAY OF MOURNING observed by to celebrate the arrival of The London of the landing of the First Fleet, the Aborigines Progressive Association declares a Missionary Society, the introduction of Christianity. ‘Day of Mourning’.

26th 1972 — TENT EMBASSY Aboriginal Embassy is set up on the lawns in front of 1st 1957 — FIRST CITIZEN Albert Namatjira and his wife Rubina receive Parliament House, . Australian Citizenship, however, this did not apply to their children.

26th 1977 — LAND RIGHTS Aboriginal Land Rights () Act came 1st 1971 — TENNIS The Women’s Singles title at Wimbledon is contested by into force. Significant amendments have been made since then. two Australians. Evonne Goolagong defeats Margaret Court to win the title.

26th 1988 — BICENTENNIAL Over 40,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander 1st 1994 — TSRA The Torres Strait Regional Authority is established. peoples and their supporters march in protest through Sydney during Australia’s 12th 1971 — ABORIGINAL FLAG What is now known as the Aboriginal Flag, bicentennial celebrations. was first flown in Adelaide on National Aborigines Day. The flag was created as a symbol of unity and national identity.

1st (est) 1921 — TINDALE Robert Tindale began anthropological fieldwork with Aboriginal 14th 1995 — FLAGS OF AUSTRALIA Both the Aboriginal flag and the Torres FEBRUARY peoples of Groote Eylandt and the Roper River. Strait Islander flag are officially proclaimed by the Australian government as ‘Flags of Australia’. 12th 1965 — FREEDOM RIDES Freedom Rides began through northern and western NSW in protest of racial discrimination. 20th 1971 — HEALTH The first Aboriginal Medical Service at Redfern opened.

12th 2008 — First Aboriginal Welcome to Country is 22nd 2002 — RECONCILIATION PLACE Located in the Parliamentary Zone, conducted in the opening of Parliament. Reconciliation Place is officially opened.

13th 2008 — THE APOLOGY Australian Government’s apology to Aboriginal and 28th 1914 — WORLD WAR I World War I begins. Aboriginal soldiers serve Torres Strait Islander peoples, in particular the . despite laws prohibiting persons not of ‘substantially European’ origin.

26th 1968 — BOXING Over 100,000 people attend a public reception in Melbourne for Lionel Rose, after he wins the World Bantamweight boxing title in Tokyo. 4th 1988 — NATIONAL ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER AUGUST CHILDREN’S DAY 9th 1994 — INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE WORLD’S 5th 1990 — ATSIC Is established through the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander INDIGENOUS PEOPLES MARCH Commission Act 1989 and is abolished in March 2005. 14th 1963 — TRADITIONAL LAND AND RIGHTS The first two Yirrkala Bark 12th 1913 — MEETING PLACE Canberra is officially named, believed to be derived Petitions were presented to Parliament. from the Aboriginal word ‘Kamberra’ to describe ‘meeting place’. 15th 1996 — AUTONOMY The HOR Standing Committee on Aboriginal & Torres 12th 2015 — CLOSURE OF COMMUNITIES releases a Strait Islander Affairs is asked to inquire into and report on greater autonomy for statement on the closure of remote Aboriginal communities in WA, ‘Living on Country Torres Strait Islanders. represents more than a “lifestyle choice”’. 16th 1975 — GURINDJI After negotiations with pastoralists, Gough Whitlam Mid– 2007 — NATIONAL CLOSE THE GAP DAY returns a portion of land back to the Gurindji. March 23rd 1966 — WAVE HILL STRIKE Led by Vincent Lingiari, Aboriginal workers 21st 1966 — INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF and their families begin the Wave Hill strike. RACIAL DISCRIMINATION 21st 1999 — HARMONY DAY 1st 1939 — WORLD WAR II World War II begins. Aboriginal and Torres Strait SEPTEMBER Islander peoples serve despite not being recognised as citizens. 2nd 1991 — RECONCILIATION Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation 15th 1991 — DEATHS IN CUSTODY The Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in is established. Its functions are replaced in 2000 by Reconciliation Australia. APRIL Custody submitted their final report. 15th 2000 — OLYMPIC CEREMONY Cathy Freeman is the first competing 17th 1993 — AUSTRALIAN FOOTBALL AFL player Nicky Winmar’s gesture to the athlete ever to light the Olympic Torch at the Sydney Olympics. crowd challenged racism in sporting arenas and across the nation. 25th 2000 — 400M Cathy Freeman carries the Australian and Aboriginal flags on 25th 1988 — ANZAC DAY The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commemorative her victory lap after winning the 400m Olympic Gold Medal. Ceremony is held after the ANZAC Dawn Service at the memorial plaque on Mount Ainslie. 30th 1982 — COMMONWEALTH GAMES Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their supporters begin protests during the games 30th 1976 — REPATRIATION After Palawa reclaim Truganini’s remains, Truganini is in Brisbane to draw national and international attention to issues such cremated and her ashes scattered in a channel close to her birthplace and homeland. as land rights.

4th 1995 — AUSTRALIAN CURRENCY A new $50 note is released featuring 1st 1946 — STRIKE An estimated 800 Aboriginal pastoral workers from 27 OCTOBER David Unaipon, Polly and Milerum. MAY stations in WA walked off the job for better pay and conditions. The strike lasted 6 years, 4th 2015 — RUGBY LEAGUE NRL players, Johnathan Thurston (NQ Cowboys) the longest in Australian history. and Justin Hodges (Brisbane Broncos) captain both grand final teams.

26th 1997 — STOLEN GENERATIONS Bringing Them Home, a report on the 12th 1997 — SEA OF HANDS ANTaR’s first Sea of Hands is held in front of Stolen Generations, is released at the Australian Reconciliation Convention, Melbourne. Parliament House, Canberra.

26th 1997 — SORRY BOOKS Over one million Australians had signed ‘sorry books’. 26th 1985 — ULURU Uluru Kata Tjuta National Park is returned to the traditional is observed to recognise the Stolen Generations. owners.

26th 2005 — NATIONAL DAY OF HEALING National Sorry Day is renamed National Day of Healing.

26th 2013 — CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGE RECOGNISE launch the ‘Journey to Recognition’. 6th 1973 — HORSE RACING Jockey Frank Reys rides Gala Supreme to victory 27th 1967 — THE REFERENDUM Over 90% of Australians vote ‘Yes’ in a Federal NOVEMBER in the Melbourne Cup. Referendum for changes to the Australian Constitution. 16th 1996 — INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR TOLERANCE 27th 1996 — NATIONAL RECONCILIATION WEEK The week begins on the 21st 2004 — THE LONG WALK Michael Long and supporters began ‘The Long anniversary of the 1967 Referendum and ends on 3 June, the anniversary of the Walk’ from Melbourne to Parliament House, Canberra, arriving on 2 December. Mabo Decision.

28th 2000 — BRIDGE WALK Over 250,000 people walked across Sydney Harbour Bridge in a public declaration that ‘Reconciliation is the work of all Australians’.

29th 1992 — TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER FLAG The flag was launched to symbolise the unity and identity of Torres Strait Islanders.

3rd 1992 — MABO DECISION Mabo and Others v State of Queensland is decided by 10th 1950 — HUMAN RIGHTS DAY JUNE the High Court. DECEMBER 10th 1992 — REDFERN SPEECH delivered a speech at Redfern 10th 1983 — NSW LAND RIGHTS The Aboriginal Land Rights Act (NSW) came Park to launch the International Year of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (1993). into effect. 19th 1972 — ABORIGINAL AFFAIRS The Federal Government creates the 21st 2007 — INTERVENTION Northern Territory Emergency Response Intervention Department of Aboriginal Affairs. (NTER) is announced and implemented immediately. 22nd 1993 — NATIVE TITLE passed in Parliament. 24th 1879 — TORRES STRAIT ISLANDS All of the remaining Torres Strait Islands become a part of Queensland. 23rd 1996 — WIK DECISION Wik Peoples v The State of Queensland is decided by the High Court. 30th 1971 — CENSUS The Census officially includes all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in Australia’s population count for the first time.

ACTCOSS is committed to reconciliation, acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land and pays respect to elders past and present.