Help commemorate National Reconciliation Week which marks two important milestones in the reconciliation journey:

• The 1967 referendum which altered the Australian Constitution, to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the census and give the Australian Government the power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• And secondly the High Court Mabo decision, which acknowledged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples unique connection with the land. It also led to the Australian Parliament passing the Native Title Act in 1993.

The  theme  of ‘In this together’ reminds us that 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 people.

We take this opportunity to reflect on the Town of Bassendean’s Reconciliation journey so far. Some of the recent highlights include:

• Delivering, in partnership with Derbarl Yerrigan Health Services, the NAIDOC Family Day in July each year (postponed this year)
• Dandjoo Koorliny Harmony Walk in conjunction with the NAIDOC Family Day;
• Dandjoo Koorliny Sorry Day and tree planting event in May;
• Cultural awareness training for all employees;
• Welcome to Country and/or Acknowledgement of Country at public events.

This year, we encourage you to broaden your knowledge of Noongar culture. You can visit our Library, see the reconciliation book display and read the extracts from The Sorry Book.

Reconciliation Australia believes that national reconciliation is based on five critical dimensions that do not exist in isolation, that are inter-related and Australia can only achieve full reconciliation if we progress in all five.  To learn more, visit Reconciliation Australia.

The Town of Bassendean acknowledges the Noongar people as traditional custodians of this land and acknowledges their continuing connection to land and community. We pay our respects to the people, to their culture and to their Elders, past and present.