National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is celebrated across Australia each year between 27 May and 3 June.

It is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The week commemorates two dates, 25 years apart, which together represent major milestones in the long journey to reconciliation.

On 27 May, 1967, the Australian public voted overwhelmingly in favour of the government making laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and recognising them in the Census.

This paved the way, two decades later, when in a landmark decision on 2 June, 1992, the Australian High Court recognised the claims of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of lands. In honour of the indigenous activist who filed the lawsuit – Eddie Koiki Mabo – this day is also commemorated as Mabo Day.

It’s been 26 years since the first NRW was launched in 1996, and it has only grown in strength and importance. The theme this year is “Be Brave. Make Change.” which challenges all Australians to make a change with brave actions; not just this week, but in their daily lives.

But most of all, NRW stands for the realisation that as Australia moves forward as a dynamic, successful and multi-cultural society, we must reconcile with our past by forging respectful relationships with the traditional custodians of the land.

We all have a part to play in ensuring this happens. Together, we can keep listening and learning from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture, and create a better future for everyone. We’re all in this together.

At Scope, our mission is to enable each person to live as an empowered and equal citizen. We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands across Australia as the continuing custodians of Country and Culture. We pay our respect to First Nations peoples and their Elders, past and present, that have guided us through our reconciliation journey.