26 January |
Australia Day / Survival Day / Day of Mourning |
This date marks the landing of The First Fleet in Sydney Cove and Survival Concerts around the country celebrate the survival of colonisation.
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13 February |
Apology to Australia's Indigenous People |
This date marks the National Apology by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in 2008. |
21 March |
United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination |
This day marks the anniversary of the Sharpeville massacre in 1960, when South Africa tried to peacefully protest the apartheid regime. |
Week leading up to 21 March |
Harmony Day |
A time for Australians to come together and celebrate the many cultures that make up the country and show appreciation of Australia's diversity. |
26 May
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National Sorry Day |
Anniversary of the 1997 'Bringing them Home' report. A day to express sorrow over the forced removal of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander children from their families.
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27 May - 3 June |
National Reconciliation Week |
Time to focus on ways to move towards reconciliation between non-indigenous and indigenous Australians.
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27 May |
Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum |
Australia's most successful referendum where 90% of Australians voted to acknowledge Indigenous Australians as citizens.
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3 June |
Mabo Day |
Anniversary of the High Court’s 1992 decision which recognised Native Title rights of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander peoples and overturned the myth of terra nullius. |
1 July |
Coming of the Light |
Celebration of the introduction of Christianity to the Torres Strait Islands. |
July |
NAIDOC Week |
National celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. |
July - First Sunday of NAIDOC Week |
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander (NATSI) Sunday |
Starts NAIDOC Week with some prayer and honest reflection. |
4 August |
National Aboriginal and Islander Children’s Day |
All organisations with an interest in children are encouraged to celebrate this day. See SNAICC (Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care) website for theme, information and posters. |
9 August |
International Day of World’s Indigenous People |
To recognise the value and diversity of indigenous cultures and to strengthen international cooperation for the support of indigenous people. |
10 December |
Human Rights Day |
Celebrates the proclamation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. |