Historical Information & Key Dates
What are some of the key historical events for Aboriginal people and communities?
| Date | Event | Description |
| 1967 | Constitutional amendment referendum | The Commonwealth Government acquired power to legislate for Aboriginal Australians and allowed for their inclusion in the census. |
| 1971 | The Aboriginal flag first flown | Designed by Harold Joseph Thomas, A Luritja man from Central Australia, the Aboriginal flag was first flown in Adelaide on National Aborigines Day, 12 July. |
| 1972 | Self-determination introduced into government policy | The Department of Aboriginal Affairs was established, and the Whitlam Government introduced the policy of self-determination. |
| 1975 | Racial Discrimination Act | On 11 June the Commonwealth Racial Discrimination Act came into effect. |
| 1985 | Uluru handed back | Uluru (formerly known as Ayers Rock) was handed back to the traditional owners. |
| 1989 | Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act | The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission was established by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission Act 1989 and began operations on 5 March 1990. |
| 1992 | Native title (Mabo) | In 1992, the High Court decision on Native title (Mabo) overturned the concept of 'terra nullius' (that land belonged to no one at the time of European invasion) and established that Native title can exist over particular kinds of land. This led to the establishment of the Native Title Act 1993. |
| 1992 | Torres Strait Islander Flag | Bernard Namok of Thursday Island designed the Torres Strait Islander flag. |
| 1997 | Bringing Them Home | The Report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families, Bringing Them Home, was released. In 1999, the Federal Government issued a statement of sincere regret over the forced removal of Aboriginal children from their families. |
| 1998 | 26 May, National Sorry Day | The first National Sorry Day was held one year after the tabling of the Bringing Them Home report which recommended that a National Sorry Day be declared. |
| 2005 | Abolition of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission | On 16 March Parliament passed the ATSIC Amendment Bill, repealing provisions of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 1989 (Commonwealth) and thereby abolishing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission and its structures from 30 June 2005. vii |
What key dates are significant to Aboriginal people and communities?
| Date | Significance |
| 26 January Survival Day |
Aboriginal Australians choose to mark Australia Day as a day to highlight the invasion of Australia by Europeans and to acknowledge the survival of their cultural heritage. |
| 26 May – 3 June National Reconciliation Week |
This week begins with National Sorry Day on 26 May and ends with Mabo Day on 3 June. |
| 26 May National Sorry Day |
This day marks the anniversary of the 1997 tabling of the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their Families, Bringing Them Home (April 1997) |
| 3 June Mabo Day |
This day commemorates the anniversary of the 1992 High Court decision in the case brought by Eddie Mabo and others, which recognised the existence in Australia of Native title rights. |
| First full week of July NAIDOC Week |
The first Sunday of July sees the beginning of a week dedicated to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people to celebrate NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Day Observance Committee) Week. It is a celebration for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people of their survival. It is also a time for all Australians to celebrate the unique contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander traditions and cultures and to bring issues of concern to the attention of governments and the broader community. |
| August National Aboriginal and Islander Children's Day |
This day was first observed in 1988 and each year it has a special theme. viii |
| November Ngan Girra Festival |
Ngan Girra means 'gathering' and this local event celebrates the heritage of Mungabareena Reserve on the banks of the Murray River as a meeting place. |
Where can I get more information about what is happening for each of these dates?
Information can be obtained by:
- Contacting your local Aboriginal organisation
- Viewing advertising in Aboriginal publications, such as the Koori Mail and the National Indigenous Times
- Visiting web sites, such as the ABC's Message Stick ix
viii Ibid. p.13
ix Ibid. p.14
Reference List
