From May 27 to June 3, we celebrated National Reconciliation Week. Reconciliation Week begins and ends on the same dates every year, acknowledging the successful referendum recognising First Nations people on 27 May 1967 and Eddie Mabo's Native Title case on 3 June 1992.
This year's theme – More than a word, Reconciliation takes action – emphasised the significance of these events and called every Australian to reflect on how we can advocate and practice reconciliation each and every day.
As non‑Indigenous Australians, we must remember it is our actions that built the struggles which Indigenous people face. Because of this, it is our job first and foremost to listen to the voices of First Nations people – their stories and experiences will guide Australia to reconciliation, but it takes our action, too.
In my community, Indigenous voices make us strong. I thank organisations like AbSec, Innari Housing, Wirringa Baiya Aboriginal Women's Legal Centre and many others, who are the driving force of supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people here in the Inner West.
It is crucial to reconciliation that we support organisations like these, which empower their local community.