National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2019

The theme for NRW 2019 is Grounded in Truth. Walk Together with Courage.

At the heart of reconciliation is the relationship between the broader Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. To foster positive race relations, our relationship must be grounded in a foundation of truth.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have long called for a comprehensive process of truth-telling about Australia’s colonial history. Our nation’s past is reflected in the present, and will continue to play out in future unless we heal historical wounds.

Today, 80 per cent of Australians believe it is important to undertake formal truth telling processes, according to the 2018 Australian Reconciliation Barometer. Australians are ready to come to terms with our history as a crucial step towards a unified future, in which we understand, value and respect each other.

Whether you’re engaging in challenging conversations or unlearning and relearning what you know, this journey requires all of us to walk together with courage. This National Reconciliation Week, we invite Australians from all backgrounds to contribute to our national movement towards a unified future.

What is National Reconciliation Week?

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 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 dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.

Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Click on this image to download the official NRW 2019 poster

A brief history

National Reconciliation Week started as the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation in 1993 (the International Year of the World’s Indigenous People) and was supported by Australia’s major faith communities. In 1996, the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation launched Australia’s first ‘National Reconciliation Week’.

In 2000, Reconciliation Australia was established to continue to provide national leadership on reconciliation. In the same year, approximately 300,000 people walked across Sydney Harbour Bridge as part of NRW, showing support for the reconciliation process.

Today NRW is celebrated by communities, businesses and individuals at thousands of events across Australia.

Get involved in NRW 2019 right around Queensland

During NRW 2019, RQI Board Members will be travelling throughout Queensland to promote and conduct activities and presentations about Reconciliation to local councils, business groups, faith based organisations, multicultural groups and members of the broader community.

Included in these activities will be “Yarnin Together” community reconciliation learning circles in nine locations: Cooktown, Yarrabah, Innisfail, Atherton, Whitsunday, Mackay, Cairns, Sunshine Coast, and The Gap in Brisbane.

Reconciliation Learning Circles help individual and organisations develop their awareness and capacity of the Five Dimensions of Reconciliation and emerging issues impacting Reconciliation.

We’ll progressively update this page with information about NRW 2019 events happening in Queensland. Below is information about Queensland events.

South East Queensland

• May 19 – Cherbourg Ration Shed Museum’s Reconciliation Fun Run
  Initiated seven years ago by the people of Cherbourg, this annual event welcomes people of the South Burnett and beyond to run (or walk) in the name of friendship, in the name of hope and in the name of new possibilities. Reconciliation Queensland will provide guest speakers and conduct an information stall at the event. More info here.
• May 23 – National Sorry Day Morning Tea with Aunty Ruth Hegarty, Redcliffe 10:30am
  Hosted by Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Disability Network QLD, join Dr (Aunty) Ruth Hegarty as she commemorates National Sorry Day and the impact of 150 years of policies forcibly removing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families and culture. Redcliffe Library, 476 Oxley Avenue, Redcliffe. More info here. Bookings are required for this event so register here.
• May 24 – National Sorry Day ceremony hosted by Noonga Reconciliation Group, 10:00am
  Join Noonga Reconciliation Group for their annual Sorry Day event at the Kalinga Park “Sorry Site”. This is a day of remembrance for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have been forcibly removed from their family and community due to government policy – the Stolen Generation. Also celebrating the resilience of First Nations people and their commitment to truth telling and sharing of cultural knowledge. There will be light refreshments from 10am and the ceremony will begin at 10:30am. More info here.
• May 25 – Waverley Stanley AM and the Yalari Story, 1:00pm
  Join Reconciliation Queensland to meet Yalari founder Waverley Stanley AM. Yalari is a not-for-profit organisation offering secondary education scholarships to leading Australian boarding schools for Indigenous children from regional, rural and remote communities. From 1.00 pm at Garden City Library, corner Logan Road and Kessels Road, Mt Gravatt. More info here.
• May 25 – Reconciliation 5km Run/walk, hosted by Bramble Bay Deadly Runners
  Deadly Runners invite you to celebrate reconciliation with a 5km walk or run at your own pace. Families, Aunties, Uncles, friends and of course runners are all welcome. We are a community based walking/ running group formed as an initiative of The Indigenous Marathon Foundation. Bringing awareness to the health and welfare faced in our Indigenous communities. Through community and conversation we can help be a part of Reconciliation. Please be aware you will be responsible for your own health and safety. More info here.
• May 26 – National Sorry Day ceremony, hosted by Teralba Park Group, 8:00am
  Teralba Park Stolen Generations Support Group invites you to its National Sorry Day Commemoration. Held at the plaque site, near the children’s playground in Teralba Park on Pullen Rd, Everton Park commencing at 8am. Free breakfast provided after the event!. More info here.
• May 26 – National Sorry Day ceremony, hosted by Benawarra Community Development Association, 7:00am
  At the “Journey Home” Plaque, by the river, Sherwood Arboretum. The short ceremony will be followed by a shared breakfast in the park. Please bring along light breakfast fare to share. Tea and coffee provided. More info here.
• May 26 – National Sorry Day ceremony, hosted by Balaangala Community Group, 4:00pm
  Join Balaangala for its annual Sorry Day ceremony, remembering and paying respect to those affected by forced removal. Address: Balaangala Garden, 98 Yoorala Street, The Gap. More info here.
• May 29 – Reconciliation at the Precinct: A Qld Small Business Week Event
  The South East Queensland Indigenous Chamber of Commerce invites Indigenous business owners, Precinct tenants, and friends to a unique Queensland Small Business Week and Reconciliation Week event. Be at the Stair Stadium at the Precinct for breakfast by Game Enough?, dancing by Mala Kiai Mura Buai, and presentations by three innovative Indigenous businesses. RSVP essential for catering purposes. More info here.
• May 29 – Aunty Betty Memorial Reconciliation Walk, 10:00am Sunshine Coast
  RSVPs are essential for this event. Celebrate the life of Sunshine Coast Reconciliation Group Inc. patron Aunty Betty McMahon. Sharing Gubbi Gubbi / Kabi Kabi knowledge and participating in traditional games. At the Reconciliation Garden, Sunshine Coast University Hospital, corner Eccles Blvd and Frazer Lane, Birtinya. More info here.
• May 31 – National Sorry Day ceremony, hosted by Link-Up Qld, 8:00am
  Join Link-Up Qld again this year at Orleigh Park, 104 Hill End Terrace, West End, to commemorate National Sorry Day, a time to reconnect, for reflection, and to renew commitments to reconciliation. More info here.
• June 1 – Sharing our Culture Reconciliation Day at Blackbutt Memorial Hall, 9:00am
  This event is organised by the Blackbutt Art Gallery and includes a Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony, Aboriginal Dance, Music, games, demonstrations and information, art. More info here.
• June 2 – ANTaR QLD Movie Benefit Night – Backtrack Boys
  An event to remember! This full-length documentary tells a powerful story of a restorative justice, healing and education program for young offenders in the Armidale district. Join with 380 of us at All Hallows. With special guest Mr Mick Gooda (Gangulu Man), Respected Leader among First Australians. Tickets will only be sold on-line and are available now at: https://www.trybooking.com/BBWWX. More info here.
• June 3 – Mabo Day Morning Tea, 10:00am
  Mabo Day Celebrations held in South East Queensland. Celebrating the 27th Anniversary of the Mabo decision of 3 June 1992. Organised by the South East Queensland Mabo Day Working Group. The morning tea will be held at Jagera Community Hall (Jagera Arts Centre), 121 Cordelia Rd, South Brisbane. All welcome. More info here.
• June 3 – Mabo Day Feasting, 2:00pm
  Mabo Day Celebrations held in South East Queensland. Celebrating the 27th Anniversary of the Mabo decision of 3 June 1992. Organised by the South East Queensland Mabo Day Working Group. Mabo Day Community Feasting will be held at Jagera Hall (Jagera Arts Centre), 121 Cordelia Rd, South Brisbane. All welcome. More info here.
• June 8 – Logan City Community “Grounded in Truth, Walk Together with Courage” Reconciliation Walk
  The community of Logan is comprised of people from over 250 different cultural backgrounds. Following a Welcome to Country, First Nations Elders and Community Political Representatives will lead the broader community walk through Logan Central. Cultural dancing and Yarnin Circle activities will be held following the walk. Guest speakers will talk about the history of the Logan Region and the Massacres of the original First Nations People along the Logan River and the impact such event have had on the First Nations people up to the present day. There will also be a lively discussion around each subject matter in which everyone can participate. In all making a great environment for improved positive race relations across all culture which make up the Logan community. More info soon.

Queensland Reconciliation Awards

Nominations have closed for the 2019 Queensland Reconciliation Awards. The Queensland Reconciliation Awards recognises initiatives undertaken by businesses, community organisations, educational institutions and government departments going above and beyond their core business to foster reconciliation and pave the way for a better future for our state. Recipients will be announced at a ceremony during National Reconciliation Week, 27 May – 3 June 2019. Read about the 2018 finalists here.

Celebrating Reconciliation Small Grants Program

Other NRW 2019 ‘grass roots’ events happening around the State have been funded through the Queensland Government’s Celebrating Reconciliation Small Grants Program. A list of those events is available here.

Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships calendar

A list of events occurring around Queensland during NRW 2019 and into NAIDOC Week is available on the website of the Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships. View that calendar here.

Reconciliation Australia NRW 2019 resources

Click here or the image below to download logos, web banners and posters for your event from Reconciliation Australia’s website.