National Reconciliation Week

History and background

In 1991, the Australian Parliament unanimously created the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation (CAR) with funding until 2001.

In 1993, major religious groups in Australia established the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation. In 1996, the CAR expanded this into the first National Reconciliation Week.

In 2000, an estimated 250,000 people walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, and in Brisbane, the People’s Walk for Reconciliation attracted an estimated 70,000 people.

In 2001, Reconciliation Australia was established to replace the CAR, including its organisation of National Reconciliation Week.

Description

National Reconciliation Week is intended to celebrate the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia, and foster reconciliation discussion and activities.

The day before the start of the week, 26 May, is National Sorry Day, first held in Sydney in 1998 and now commemorated annually to honour the Stolen Generations.

The theme of NRW 2025 is "Bridging Now to Next" reflecting the continuing connection between past, present, and future.

Reconciliation Day

Reconciliation Day is a public holiday in the Australian Capital Territory marking the start of National Reconciliation Week. It is held on the first Monday after or on 27 May, the anniversary of the 1967 referendum. It was held for the first time on 28 May 2018.

References

References

1. (2025-05-26). "What is Reconciliation Week and why are the dates significant?".
2. "Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation".
3. Payne, Anne Maree. (2025-05-23). "Corroboree 2000, 25 years on: the march for Indigenous reconciliation has left a complicated legacy".
4. (2014). "Let's talk... reconciliation: National Reconciliation Week". Reconciliation Australia.
5. Rodrigues, Marilyn. (2024-05-27). "Reconciliation week: a time for prayer and healing".
6. (2017). "National Reconciliation Week 2017: 27 May to 3 June: Reconciliation timeline". Reconciliation Australia.
7. Smith, Douglas. (4 June 2020). "On this day National Reconciliation Week closed with 70,000 marching through Brisbane".
8. (2023-05-31). "'Cop-out from the prime minister': How did the reconciliation movement begin in Australia?". ABC News.
9. "NRW2025 Theme: Bridging Now to Next".
10. (14 September 2017). "Reconciliation Day Public Holiday an Australian first".
11. (14 September 2017). "ACT first Australian jurisdiction to gazette Reconciliation Day public holiday". [[Canberra Times]].