Aboriginal Recognition

Fifty years of progress — celebrating the 1967 Aboriginal Referendum A milestone for all Australians — Cowra Mayor, Councillor Bill West Tomorrow marks 50 years since the historic referendum giving full rights to Aboriginal Australians was passed by more than 90 per cent of voters.

While it is commonly-believed that the community playing a vital and referendum gave Aboriginal Australians the vote, unique role in the life, culture, this had already been legislated nationally five community and society of our years earlier after decades of restrictions or Shire. In the arts, sports, dance, literature, and outright bans on Aboriginal voting rights in a education, Wiradjuri locals enrich, inform, and elevate number of States. so many aspects of our towns and villages.

This important event captured the mood of the Locals like John Henry Coe who served with nation following years of Aboriginal people being distinction, giving his life for his country in World denied the full rights of other Australians.

War I; authors such as Dr Anita Heiss; historian In some states, Aboriginals were subject to a Dr Lawrie Bamblett; and local Aboriginal rugby number of punitive measures to do with league team, the “Erambie Allblacks”; as well as lack of access to democracy, economic many other locals. disadvantage, restricted employment, and While much has been done, much remains to be conditional freedom-of-movement. achieved, and while we look to the present and Much has changed since those days the future in how we can continue to improve the when both casual and institutionalised lives of our citizens, it is important to acknowledge racism was a blight, not only on the the important events and achievements of the past lives of the descendants of the oldest and the role they played in creating modern Australia.

Australians, but also on our nation as And the 1967 Aboriginal Referendum is one the a whole. most important events that has allowed for the Cowra has a proud Aboriginal achievements and improvements of the present. heritage with our indigenous