The referendum to include indigenous Australians in the census will be recognised this week, 50 years since the historic vote.
The 1967 referendum will be a key focus of events to mark National Reconciliation Week. Brimbank’s events will include a walk for reconciliation in Sunshine on Tuesday.
Graham Cooper (Uncle Boots) is a member of the Brimbank Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reconciliation Action Plan Consultative Committee, and said the week was an important reminder for the community.
“The marches are important, and I’ll be there for that, but it’s bigger than that and there’s lots that needs to be done,” he said.
“Sharing our culture and making people understand is the key, letting the people know that we share this land and we’ve been sharing it since Captain Cook was here.”
Mr Copper said the anniversary of the referendum, as well as marking 25 years since the historic Mabo decision into native title in Australia, made this year’s Reconciliation Week extra special.
“Living with and understanding the people that you’re living with, that’s all that Mabo wanted,” he said.
“I didn’t understand the referendum when it happened, I was a bit young and my uncle explained to me that we weren’t recognised as citizens before then, and after that I started to learn more about my culture.”
The reconciliation walk will begin at 10.30am on May 30 at Duke Street Community House with a Welcome to Country and Smoking ceremony, before making its way to Matthews Hill Reserve.
A free barbecue will be provided.
