Referendum

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land and pay respect to their leaders, past and present. Visitors to this website should be aware that names may be mentioned, or images portrayed, of people who are now deceased. Any distress this may cause is sincerely regretted.

At the 1967 Referendum, 90.77% of Australian voters said 'Yes' to the Australian Government making laws specifically relating to Indigenous Australians, and for the inclusion of Indigenous Australians in the national census. This empowered the Commonwealth to override discriminatory State legislation and to enact special laws and programmes for Indigenous Australians. This artwork incorporates extracts from the referendum documents and the Australian Constitution. Archival images illustrate the events which led to the referendum, including the Official Day of Mourning in 1938, and the delegates attending the Federal Council for Advancement of the Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders.

Artwork

• Architect: Simon Kringas
• Aboriginal Cultural Advisor: Sharon Payne
• Exhibition Designers: Marcus Bree, Benita Tunks
• Graphic Designer: Alan Vogt

Images (by permission of)

• Australian Aborigines Conference: Lorna Lippmann
• Day of Mourning: Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies
• Delegates FCAATSI: Merle Jackomos
• Faith Bandler & Jack Horner: Faith Bandler
• Gordon Bryant: Faith Bandler
• Jean & Jack Horner: Canberra Times
• Jessie Street: National Library of Australia
• Joe McGuinness & friends: Faith Bandler
• Sir Doug Nicholls & Kath Walker (Oodgeroo Noonuccal): Faith Bandler
• Stan Davey & Riley Young: Debbie Rose
• Rights Wrongs, Write Yes poster: Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies

Click here to learn more about Reconciliation Place and its artworks.