The anniversary of the 1967 Referendum (27 May) marks the start of National Reconciliation Week each year. The 1967 referendum altered the Australian Constitution in a momentous way, with more than 90 per cent of Australian voters choosing 'Yes' to count Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the census and give the Australian Government the power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June 2018) is important for the entire RACS community. Melbourne based RACS staff will be participating in Aboriginal and Cultural Competency Training on Wednesday 30 May and Friday 6 July at the Koorie Heritage Trust at Federation Square. The program is designed to provide a practical understanding of Aboriginal cultural awareness in order to support staff and RACS efforts towards reconciliation. The program includes the meaning and importance of cultural competence, Australian settlement history, the Aboriginal community today, the meaning of saying sorry, and an introduction to developing personal strategies for working more effectively with Aboriginal people.
Please visit the RACS Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health web page to learn more about what RACS is doing in this space, awards and scholarships offered as well as governance and learning resources.
All Fellows, Trainees and IMGs as well as RACS staff are encouraged to take part in any of the activities running around the country during this special week. Visit the Reconciliation Australia website for more information.