Message from the Acting Executive Director and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Manager

Tanya Beaumont, Acting Executive Director

National Reconciliation Week is held annually from 27th May – 3rd June. National Reconciliation Week provides all Australians with an opportunity to learn about our cultures, shared histories and achievements, and to think about how all of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

Reconciliation is about strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-indigenous people. This year’s theme is Now More Than Ever. Now More Than Ever is a reminder to us all that, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will – and must – continue.

The 27th May marks the anniversary of the 1967 referendum when Australians voted to change two sections in the Australian Constitution that discriminated against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. More than 90 per cent of Australian voters voted ‘Yes’ to the changes. It was one of the most successful national campaigns in Australian history.

The 3rd June marks the historic 1992 Mabo decision in which the High Court of Australia recognised native title — the recognition that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ rights over their lands did survive British colonisation. The Mabo decision led to the Australian Parliament passing the Native Title Act in 1993.

The day before National Reconciliation Week, 26th May, is National Sorry Day, which was first held in Sydney in 1998 – a year after the Bringing Them Home report was tabled in Australian Parliament, and is now commemorated nationally to remember and honour the Stolen Generations.

Community and Oral Health is in the process of finalising its Innovation Reconciliation Plan (RAP). The Innovation RAP identifies Community and Oral Health’s vision for reconciliation:

Our vision for reconciliation is for a health care system that embraces unity between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians by valuing the culture, experiences and rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, via the delivery of services in culturally appropriate and culturally safe ways, the representation of equality and equity, historical acceptance of our shared history, and promotion of positive race relations.

The Community and Oral Health Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Team will be hosting the Reconciliation Shield Barefoot Bowls Thursday 30th May at the Brighton Wellness Hub, with lunch served from 12:30 – 1:30 pm. The Bowls games will begin promptly from 2.00 until 4.00 pm.

Community and Oral Health staff and community members are also invited to attend the MABO Day celebration at the Brighton Health Campus Auditorium on Friday 7th June 10.00 am – 1.00 pm.

Please RSVP by COB Friday 31st May 2024 to COH-A_TSI_HLTHTeam@health.qld.gov.au.