Let's talk recognition - National Reconciliation Week 2012
Port Macquarie- Hastings residents are invited to participate in a film night and Q&A session being held at the Glasshouse during National Reconciliation Week. This year, the theme for National Reconciliation Week 2012 is Let's Talk Recognition.
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is celebrated across Australia each year between 27 May and 3 June. The dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey-the anniversaries of the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision.
Director of Community and Cultural Development Lesley Atkinson said the week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements and to explore how we each can join in the national reconciliation effort.
"Indigenous populations have played a large and important role in Australia's history, particularly on the mid-north coast. National Reconciliation Week provides the opportunity to recognise all Australians, and the valued place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within this country," Ms Atkinson said.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council will host a free event on Thursday, 31 May 2012 in the Ross Family Studio at the Glasshouse to celebrate Reconciliation Week and recognise the important contributions that Aboriginal Australians make to the local community.
The evening will commence at 6:30pm with the viewing of 3 short Aboriginal films followed by a Q&A session which will be lead by local Aboriginal representatives. The audience will have the opportunity to ask questions of the panel.
The event is free, but bookings are essential. To reserve a ticket, contact the Glasshouse Box Office (02) 6581 8888.
May 27 marks the anniversary of Australia's most successful referendum and a defining event in our nation's history. The 1967 referendum saw over 90 per cent of Australians vote to give the Commonwealth the power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and recognise them in the national census. 2012 marks the 45th anniversary of the '67 referendum.
On 3 June, 1992, the High Court of Australia delivered its landmark Mabo decision which legally recognised that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have a special relationship to the land-that existed prior to colonisation and still exists today. This recognition paved the way for land rights called Native Title. This year is the 20th anniversary of the Mabo decision.
