National Reconciliation Week 2025

Bridging Now to Next – A DDHS Take

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) takes place every year from 27 May – 3 June. It kicks off on the Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum, concludes on Mabo Day, and in-between encourages everyone around our nation to come together, yarn and learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements in Australia.

As Reconciliation Australia states, NRW is a time for all Australians to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. The theme for 2025, Bridging Now to Next encourages us to reflect on all the positive actions that have led to this point in time – to connect the past, present and future and to keep moving forward towards reconciliation, together.

Why start with the 1967 Referendum?

The Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum is particularly important to National Reconciliation Week in 2025 because of its links to the theme Bridging Now to Next.

On 27 May 1967 (57 years ago), 90.77% of Australians voted YES for our mob:

YES to change the Constitution so that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples would be counted as part of the population, and
YES so that the Commonwealth would make specific laws that applied to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples that could assist in addressing inequalities.

Leaders like Faith Bandler, Joe McGinness, and Oodgeroo Noonuccal (Kath Walker) united communities for the vote. They took important steps in ‘bridging now to next’, and their message was powerful: “Right wrongs, write YES”.

That historic vote didn’t solve everything, but it opened doors. As Joe McGinness wisely said:

“Winning the referendum is an important step forwards – but it is only a first step.”

(Sources: https://digital-classroom.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/indigenous-referendum and https://digital-classroom.nma.gov.au/videos/faith-bandler-discusses-1967-referendum)

The Significance of Mabo Day

National Reconciliation Week comes to a close on 3 June each year: Mabo Day. Like the 1967 Referendum, this is another significant, bridge-building milestone.

On 3 June 1992, Australia’s biggest lie was finally overturned:

The High Court agreed that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples had laws, customs, and continuous connection to Country long before 1788 – that the 204-year-old ‘Terra Nullius’ claim was untrue.

Preceding this outcome was 10 years of legal battles, initiated by five Meriam people from the Torres Strait: Reverend David Passi, Sam Passi, James Rice, Celuia Mapo Salee, and Eddie Koiki Mabo (who the case was named after).

The legal proceedings against the State of Queensland and the Commonwealth of Australia were bold and brave. Mabo, Salee, Passi, Passi and Rice showed courage and persistence, stating:

“This is our land. It always was.”

Eddie Mabo never got to see the outcomes of the case named after him (he died of cancer just months before the victory), but his efforts led to the Native Title Act.

His legacy lives in every native title claim won since. Today, native title covers 15% of Australia—over 1 million square kilometres returned to Traditional Owners.

Mabo Day reminds us of a legal revolution that bridged ancient law with modern justice – a powerful and inspiring way to round out the week!

(Sources: https://www.nma.gov.au/defining-moments/resources/mabo-decision, https://aiatsis.gov.au/explore/mabo-case and https://www.naa.gov.au/explore-collection/first-australians/eddie-koiki-mabo-and-mabo-case)

Other Important Bridges Built toward Reconciliation

This National Reconciliation Week, we acknowledge that there’s more to be done – that bridges are needed from now to next, but first we must become informed about what’s come before.

The following list was provided by Danila Dilba Aboriginal Cultural Lead Zac Stanislaus:

To learn more about National Reconciliation Week, you can also check out the following sites: