Reconciliation week

Reconciliation week:

From 27 May, Tangalooma celebrates Reconciliation Week, a time for all Australians to learn, reflect, and build stronger relationships.

The dates for reconciliation week remain the same each year due to the importance behind the dates 27 May and 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey. The first being the successful referendum in 1967 which meant that the Constitution could be amended to include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the national census and allow the federal government to make laws for them.

The second date is the High Court Mabo decision in 1992 which overturned the concept of ‘terra nullius’ that claimed Australia belonged to no one when Europeans arrived. This landmark case recognised that First Nations people had inherent land rights and a deep relationship and with the land before British colonisation. The decision went on to pave the way for the Native Title Act to be passed the year after.

At Tangalooma, we are committed to building respectful, enduring partnerships with the Quandamooka People and other Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, while embedding reconciliation into our operations, workplace culture, and guest experiences. Reconciliation must be embraced in the hearts, minds, and actions of all Australians as we move forward together.

We’ll be producing miniseries of short videos to strengthen understanding and clear up misinformation on various topics. We hope that shared knowledge will help instil a deeper understanding and appreciation of First Nations culture. To commence this series, Uncle Paul Maxwell, a member of our RAP Elders Consulting Group, unpacks the meaning of Native Title and what it means for Quandamooka People and Mulgumpin (Moreton Island).