National Reconciliation Week (NRW), held each year from 27 May to 3 June, is a time to learn, listen, and engage with the ongoing process of reconciliation – understanding its historical foundations, recognising the progress made, and encouraging continued action towards a more equitable future.

In this blog, we explore Reconciliation Australia’s definition of reconciliation, the significance of NRW’s key commemorative dates, and other important events that fall within the week – including the landmark 2000 Walk for Reconciliation, which brought together hundreds of thousands of people in one of Australia’s most visible public demonstrations of support for reconciliation. We also examine the meaning behind the 2025 theme, Bridging Now to Next, the origins of NRW, and how you can get involved.

Reconciliation and Bridging Now to Next

According to Reconciliation Australia (RA), reconciliation is not a singular outcome but a process of “strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians.” This includes acknowledging the histories of land dispossession, violence, systemic racism, and cultural survival, alongside recognising the many individuals, communities, and organisations who have worked to foster understanding, truth-telling, and positive change.

“Reconciliation is an ongoing journey that reminds us that while generations of Australians have fought hard for meaningful change, future gains are likely to take just as much, if not more, effort.” – Reconciliation Australia

For Reconciliation Australia, reconciliation is a process made up of five interrelated dimensions:

1. Historical acceptance
2. Race relations
3. Equality and equity
4. Institutional integrity
5. Unity.

“These five dimensions do not exist in isolation, but are interrelated. Reconciliation cannot be seen as a single issue or agenda; the contemporary definition of reconciliation must weave all of these threads together. For example, greater historical acceptance of the wrongs done to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can lead to improved race relations, which in turn leads to greater equality and equity.”

This year’s theme, Bridging Now to Next, reinforces the idea that reconciliation is not fixed in time – it is part of an ongoing process. It invites people across Australia to walk forward together, drawing on lessons from the past to support shared action in the present and build a more respectful and inclusive future. This year’s artwork by Kalkadoon artist, Bree Buttenshaw, depicts fire-resilient native plants to symbolise regeneration, resilience, and the collective possibilities that come with reflection and renewal.

National Reconciliation Week Key Commemorative Dates

The dates of NRW are anchored in two pivotal events:

1. 27 May marks the anniversary of the 1967 referendum, when more than 90% of Australians voted to amend the Constitution, removing clauses that discriminated against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
2. 3 June commemorates the 1992 Mabo decision, when the High Court of Australia recognised that First Peoples’ connection to land had continued despite colonisation. This decision overturned the legal concept of terra nullius (land belonging to no one) and laid the foundation for the Native Title Act 1993.

Other significant commemorations that also fall within NRW, include:

• 28 May 2025, which marks the 25th anniversary of the 2000 Walk for Reconciliation, where approximately 250,000 people crossed the Sydney Harbour Bridge in a public display of support for reconciliation.
• 29 May marks the 33rd anniversary of the Torres Strait Islander Flag, which was officially presented to the public in 1992 and is now a recognised symbol of identity and unity for Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Revisiting the 2000 Walk for Reconciliation

The Walk for Reconciliation remains one of the most widely attended demonstrations in Australian history. On 28 May 2000, people from across Australia gathered to walk together across Sydney Harbour Bridge in a shared expression of support of reconciliation. The walk was part of Corroboree 2000, a two-day event that brought together Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous leaders, community members, and the public to reflect on the state of reconciliation.

On the day before the Walk, 27 May 2000, national leaders met at the Sydney Opera House, where the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation presented two key documents: the Australian Declaration Towards Reconciliation and the Roadmap for Reconciliation containing four National Strategies:

1. The National Strategy to Sustain the Reconciliation Process
2. The National Strategy to Promote Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Rights
3. The National Strategy to Overcome Disadvantage
4. The National Strategy for Economic Independence.

These documents outlined aspirations for a more just and inclusive Australia, and many participants signed their names or left handprints to symbolise commitment.

While the then Prime Minister expressed regret for past injustices, no formal apology was made at that time. The absence of an apology drew widespread attention and prompted further national debate. As recorded on the Parliament of Australia’s website: “On 13 February 2008, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd offered a formal apology to Australia’s Indigenous peoples, particularly the Stolen Generations, on behalf of the nation at Australian Parliament House.”

Context Behind the Walk

The Walk for Reconciliation and Corroboree 2000 followed years of advocacy, policy development, and community leadership:

• In 1991, the Australian Parliament established the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation, bringing together First Nations and non-Indigenous representatives to guide a national process of relationship-building and truth-telling.
• The 1997 Bringing Them Home report documented the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, known today as the Stolen Generations. The report called for formal apologies and reparative action.

These developments provided momentum for the Walk for Reconciliation, which became a public affirmation of support for acknowledging truth and building respectful relationships.

The Origins of National Reconciliation Week

NRW began in 1993 – the United Nations’ International Year of the World’s Indigenous Peoples – as a Week of Prayer for Reconciliation, supported by various religious groups across Australia. By 1996, it had evolved into a national observance with broader community engagement, led by the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation (CAR). In 2001, Reconciliation Australia was established by CAR to carry forward the national focus on reconciliation as a non-government, not-for-profit organisation.

Today, NRW is observed across schools, workplaces, universities, community organisations, and local councils. Resources are available (here), and events, and educational activities take place throughout the week, and many groups continue their engagement year-round.

Getting Involved

Participating in NRW can take many forms. You might:

• Attend a local or online event or gathering. Check the NRW Events Calendar 2025 for details.
• Learn more about the history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Share and discuss the significance of NRW with family, friends, and colleagues.
• Engage with multilingual resources available through RA, reflecting on the diversity of Australian communities.

NRW 2025 also includes the Walk for Truth, a significant event led by the Yoorrook Justice Commission, inviting everyone to support the walk from Portland on Gunditjmara Country to Parliament House between 25 May and 18 June.

“Yoorrook invites everyone to join us on this powerful journey, to walk together toward truth, to be part of the positive change for Victoria and Australia, to celebrate the strength and resistance of Aboriginal people and to be proud to have the oldest living culture in the world as ours.” – Commissioner Lovett

Click here for more information about how you can participate.

Looking Ahead

As the 25th anniversary of the Walk for Reconciliation is marked in 2025, National Reconciliation Week continues to provide a meaningful space to reflect, learn, and participate. The theme, Bridging Now to Next invites all people living in Australia to consider how the lessons of the past and action in the present are connected to future possibilities. Reconciliation remains a shared process – ongoing, collective, and grounded in respect and truth-telling.

Resources (Reconciliation Australia)

• National Reconciliation Week 2025
• Reconciliation
• Reconciliation Australia
• Reconciliation Timeline: Key Moments
• Report: 2024 RAP Impact Report (Snapshot)

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In February 2025, CourtHeath Consulting launched its Reconciliation Action Plan, Bridges of Connection – a Reflect RAP grounded in respect, listening, partnering, connecting, learning, and evolving. These core principles continue to guide our reconciliation journey. To read more about our RAP, please visit our website here.

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CourtHeath acknowledges the Traditional Aboriginal Owners of Country throughout Victoria and pays respect to Elders past and present, and to the ongoing living culture of Aboriginal people.

A participant in the UN Global Compact, CourtHeath seeks to raise awareness about the sustainable development goals and the principles of the Global Compact with business and government organisations in Victoria.

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IMAGE: Reconciliation Australia (Artwork by Kalkadoon artist, Bree Buttenshaw)

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