What is National Reconciliation Week?
National Reconciliation Week runs every year from 27 May to 3 June, with these dates commemorating two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.
Reconciliation Week is an important time for all non-Indigenous Australians to learn more about the rich Cultures of First Nations Peoples and acknowledge the true histories of Australia.
It’s a vital chance for non-Indigenous Australians to acknowledge the many achievements of Indigenous Australians within society, and to consider how we can contribute as individuals and as a community to achieving reconciliation.
Be a Voice for Generations
The 2023 National Reconciliation Week theme, “Be a Voice for Generations” is an encouragement for all Australians to voice their support for reconciliation in all areas of their professional and personal lives. It's a challenge calling all Australians to step forward and drive reconciliation on a daily basis.
Voice to Parliament Panel
In recognition of this year’s National Reconciliation Week theme ‘Be a Voice for Generations’, we invite you to be part of a discussion about the Voice to Parliament–including how it will affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and what it means for non-Indigenous Australians, the wider Australian community as a whole.
Our panel members include: Teela Reid, a proud Wiradjuri and Wailwan woman and Senior Lawyer, Narelda Jacobs, a proud Whadjuk Noongar woman, journalist, presenter and commentator and Professor Luke Beck, Professor of Constitutional Law and Associate Dean (Education) of the Faculty of Law at Monash University. Jamil Tye, a proud Yorta Yorta/ Boon Wurrung man and the Director of the William Cooper Institute at Monash University will moderate the session, as we traverse the history and guiding principles of the Voice to Parliament and consider responses to the referendum question.
Join us on Thursday 25 May at The Count’s on the Clayton campus to learn about our shared histories and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia. This is a free event and spots are strictly limited, so register now to avoid missing out.
Flag lowering ceremonies on National Sorry Day
National Sorry Day remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as ‘The Stolen Generations’.
In observing this day, we invite all staff and students to attend a flag lowering ceremony at our Australian campuses at 9am on Friday 26 May, led by Indigenous leaders and senior executives at Monash.
This significant day falls upon the eve of National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June), and this year’s theme asks us to ‘Be a Voice for Generations’. It reminds us that we cannot reach a place of true reconciliation until we acknowledge the past to move forward together.
The commemoration of these occasions reflects Monash University’s commitment within our Strategic Plan, Impact 2030, and our support of the Uluru Statement from the Heart process and the Yoo-rrook Justice Commission to foster a society that recognises, respects and includes Indigenous peoples, cultures and knowledge.
Event details:
- All ceremonies (Clayton, Caulfield, Peninsula and Parkville campuses) will begin at 9am sharp on Friday 26 May.
- Flag pole locations:
- Caulfield: 900 Dandenong Road at the end of Queens Avenue, Caulfield map
- Clayton: Scenic Boulevard roundabout, Clayton map
- Parkville: In front of Sissons Building (Building 401, 381 Royal Parade, near Monash Connect entrance), Parkville map
- Peninsula: Flag pole Rotunda BBQ Area, Peninsula map
- Check the weather beforehand and bring an umbrella with you if required.
Learn more about these and other significant dates, and visit the Monash Reconciliation Week website to find out how you can get involved with events taking place throughout the week.
What's on
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SCS Great Book Swap
As part of National Reconciliation Week, SCS is hosting a book swap to raise funds for the Indigenous Literacy Foundation. Drop off your old books to room 5.SS.10, E block, MMC by 30 May then exchange a note or gold coin to pick up a new book on 31 May! The book swap will be in the Medicine Seminar Room, Level 5, Block E, MMC. All proceeds to the Indigenous Literacy Foundation.
Donations can be made via this link
*Please contact Lyn Cyrill from the School of Clinical Sciences if you would like to learn more.Wednesday 31 May
10:30AM-12PM, Medicine Seminar Room, Level 5, Rm 5.MC.08, Block E, Monash Medical Centre, Clayton -
Celebrating Indigenous Perspectives in Science
Join the Faculty of Science Equity, Diversity and Inclusion committee in celebrating National Reconciliation Week at our Celebrating Indigenous Science Perspectives event.
This event will feature plenary speaker Joshua Waters from the non-profit organisation, Deadly Science. Joshua will share their experiences of empowering Indigenous youth through education in science.
In addition, we will be serving a delicious lunch from Indigenous-owned Mabu Mabu catering company that showcases Indigenous ingredients and flavours.
11:00 Coffee and Opening Remarks (Drew Giles)
11:30 Plenary Talk: Joshua Waters (proud Kamilaroi man, Head of Pathways Program for Deadly Science)
12:30 Lunch catered by Mabu Mabu
Registrations open to all students and staff at Monash. Registrations for lunch close 16 May and registrations for the talk close 31 May.
Thursday 1 June
11:00AM-1:30PM
Green Chemical Futures Building, Level 4, Auditorium 13 Rainforest Walk, Clayton Campus, Monash University -
Muniak Nangarna
Commissioned by MPAC in partnership with the William Cooper Institute, Yorta Yorta custodian Neil Morris, AKA DRMNGNOW / Minyerra a multitalented creative as a story teller through story and sound presents sound installation Muniak Nangarna (meaning “Future Thought”).
For more information, visit this website
Tuesday 30 May
7:30PM-8:15PM
Ian Potter Centre of Performing Arts: David Li Sound Gallery
Clayton Campus -
Reconciliation Action Plan Launch
The Office of the Pro-Vice Chancellor will be launching the Monash Reconciliation Action Plan 2023-2025. This important document will help guide the University's efforts towards achieving reconciliation.
Tuesday 30 May
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Clontarf Reconciliation Event
Clontarf students will participate in some hands on practical work in Mildura campus then have a BBQ.
For more information, please contact David Byrnes
Wednesday 31 May
9:30AM-12:30PM
Monash Rural Health, 231-237 Thirteenth Street Mildura West -
Monash Aboriginal Garden Tour
In the lead up to National Reconciliation Week, join the Buildings & Property team for a 45 minute walk of the Monash Aboriginal Garden.
Thursday 25 May
10am
Monash Aboriginal Gardens, Scenic Blvd, Clayton campus -
MRS Supper
Clayton and Peninsula MRS students and RSTO staff are invited to a supper at 8:30PM on Sunday 4 June at their respective Common Room to reflect and discuss how we can contribute towards reconciliation.
To acknowledge that we must be a “Voice for Reconciliation”, Monash Residential Services would like to offer residents and staff the opportunity to partake in an activity which involves cutting out a stencil of their hand to signify “Hands Up for Reconciliation” and write what they believe a reconciled future would look like.
The completed hands will be collected from around MRS and a central display made to show how our community members support reconciliation now and into the future by making a peace tree.
Sunday 4 June
8:30PM
Monash Residental Services
This event is exclusively for MRS Students and Staff only
Note: MRS day staff will have the opportunity to participate in the "Hands Up for Reconciliation" activity during normal business hours throughout Reconciliation Week (29 May– 2 June) further details will be posted on MRS Workplace.
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SSE Be a Voice Afternoon Tea
The SSE will be hosting a Social event for staff to come together and raise awareness for National Reconciliation Week 2023.
Wednesday 24 May
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National Reconciliation Week Concert
Join The School of Music and Performance for a program of works by emerging and senior First Nations composers and current students.
This event is free and is open to all.
Thursday 25 May
1pm-2pm
Performing Arts Centre, Building Building 68, 55 Scenic Blvd
Clayton Campus -
Access, Inclusion and Success - Exploring how to be a voice
Join the Access, Inclusion and Success team for a screening of animations from Wunungu Awara: Animating Indigenous Knowledges, followed by an exploration of what being a voice for generations means in our different contexts.
Tuesday 30 May
10am-11am
19 Ancora Imparo Way, Learning & Teaching Building, Room 282 (SLATE room)
Clayton Campus
Register your NRW 2023 event
National Reconciliation Week is almost here and it’s time to start preparing your event!
There are a variety of ways your team could run an event. Whatever form your event takes, we encourage you to reflect on how you can champion reconciliation through your event (and beyond).
HOW TO REGISTER YOUR EVENT
To showcase your teams event on this webpage:
Step 1: Plan your NRW event. You could host a lunch, guided tour, Q&A, documentary screening, panel discussion, or any other idea that brings people together in a meaningful way.
Step 2: Fill out this Google form
Get involved. Take action
Each year we encourage all Monash campuses, faculties and divisions to embrace National Reconciliation Week and consider hosting events or activities that promote Monash as a champion of reconciliation.
FAQs
1. Q: What is National Reconciliation Week?
A: National Reconciliation Week runs every year from 27 May to 3 June, with these dates commemorating two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.
Reconciliation Week is an important time for all non-Indigenous Australians to learn more about the rich Cultures of First Nations Peoples and acknowledge the true histories of Australia.
It’s a vital chance for non-Indigenous Australians to acknowledge the many achievements of Indigenous Australians within society, and to consider how we can contribute as individuals and as a community to achieving reconciliation.
2. Q: Why is Reconciliation Week important?
A: National Reconciliation Week is an important time for us to consider how we can all contribute in our everyday lives to celebrate Indigenous Peoples, and raise awareness to help Indigenous Advancement.
Reconciliation isn’t the responsibility of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Indigenous Australians need the help of allies to help celebrate Indigenous Cultures and raise awareness of the disparities that still exist within society.
At Monash, we are committed to promoting Indigenous advancement, and during National Reconciliation Week, we’re all given the opportunity to champion change, to learn more about the rich Cultures of First Nations Peoples and acknowledge the true histories of Australia. Reconciliation Week is an important time for us to engage in activities which help us learn more about the diverse and rich Cultures and experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
It’s also a great opportunity to acknowledge Indigenous Australian achievements and to explore ways we can bridge the gaps that still exist within society between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and non-Indigenous communities.
3. Q: How can I get involved?
A: You could run an event: There are a variety of ways you could run your event. You could host a lunch, guided tour, Q&A, documentary screening, panel discussion, or any other idea that will bring people together in a meaningful way. Whatever form your event takes, we encourage you to reflect on how you can champion reconciliation through your event (and beyond).
You can also sign up to one of the listed events - we encourage everybody at Monash to join in!
4. Q: What can my event look like?
A: That’s up to you. We encourage events that can bring people together to focus on celebrating Indigenous Peoples, Cultures and promote reconciliation. In previous years, faculties have run Q&A’s, documentaries, lunches and have created forums which encourage people to engage in meaningful conversations about what they can do for change.
5. Q: Is there a budget to run an event?
A: Unfortunately not, you would have to fund your event within your business unit or society.
6. Q: Where can I list my event?
A: You can list your event independently on your own student or faculty website/other channels. You can also use this form to have your event be registered and displayed on this website.
Contact us
For more information you can contact the Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous), Strategy and Engagement Team:
Email: dvce-comms@monash.edu