Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week
At the heart of reconciliation is a shared commitment to truth-telling, understanding, and respect. We honour and celebrate the rich histories, cultures, and enduring contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to Australia. Reconciliation is not a one-time event, it is an ongoing journey, built on education, empathy, and courageous conversations.
The Promise is a musical Acknowledgement of Country which was commissioned to celebrate SCEGGS’ 125th Birthday. The words were written by Georgiana Thomas-Peddell, a mainland Torres Strait Islander, and the music was co-written by Alice Chance and Georgiana Thomas-Peddell.
I promise to: Stay curious, stay serious, respect, protect, never forget to listen, to learn, to lend my voice to lift yours.
And it is in this spirit, we share with you some events and opportunities that will deepen our collective understanding as a community and allow us to listen to First Nation voices as we mark National Reconciliation Week from Tuesday 27 May to 3 June and celebrate NAIDOC Week from Sunday July 6 to 13.
Following are just a few highlights of the events and resources available during Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week.
National Reconciliation Week – Bridging Now to Next (27 May – 3 June 2025)
Australian Museum
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Waranara Tours |
Discover the richness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through a guided tour of the Australian Museum’s collection, led by a First Nations guide. |
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Ngalu Warrawi Marri Film Series |
Experience First Nations storytelling through film in this special series:
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Documentary
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Her Name is Nanny Nellie screening and Q&A |
Learn the untold stories and witness a powerful reclamation of identity in this moving documentary. When three nameless Aboriginal statues in the Australian Museum archives are traced back to real ancestors, Aunty Irene Ridgeway embarks on a personal quest to honour her great-grandmother, Nellie Bunjil Walker. As she reconnects families with their histories and works to restore dignity to lives once displayed without identity, this film becomes a profound act of truth-telling and remembrance. Following the screening, join Aunty Irene, director Daniel King, and Dr Mariko Smith, Head of First Nations Collections & Research at the Australian Museum, for a special conversation about memory, museums, and the power of naming. |
NAIDOC Week The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy (6 July to 13 July)
NAIDOC Week stands as a powerful national moment—celebrating 50 years of honouring and elevating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, culture, and resilience. This year’s theme, “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy,” pays tribute to the achievements of the past while looking forward with pride and purpose.
| AbSec NAIDOC Family Fun Day 2025 Date: Wednesday, 9 July 2025 (All day) |
Celebrate the rich culture, strength, and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities by coming together at PCYC Marrickville & Steel Park for a family fun day. |
| National Indigenous Art Fair Date: Saturday 5 July to Sunday 6 July (All day) |
Experience an ethical marketplace at the National Indigenous Art Fair, held on Gadigal Country at Warrane (Sydney Cove)’s Overseas Passenger Terminal in The Rocks. This vibrant festival offers a rare opportunity to purchase artworks directly from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists representing remote, community-owned art centres across the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia, and regional and remote New South Wales |
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Aboriginal cultural talks: Sky, Land & Waters
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Join this free series of inspiring talks with Gadigal custodian, Elder and cultural educator and knowledge custodian Uncle Jimmy Smith at St Helen’s Community Centre, Glebe. |
Something to Read
Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia – Edited by Anita Heiss
This anthology features voices from across the country, sharing personal stories of childhood, identity, resilience, and belonging. Contributors include Adam Goodes, Miranda Tapsell, Tara June Winch, and many more. It is a recommended read for anyone seeking to better understand the lived experiences of Aboriginal people in contemporary Australia.
Let’s continue the journey. Together.
Staff RAP Committee
