Reconciliation Australia facts for kids
| Predecessor | Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation |
|---|---|
| Formation | January 2001 |
| Type | Non-government not-for-profit organisation |
| Purpose | The national expert body on reconciliation in Australia; with a vision to wake to a reconciled, just and equitable Australia |
| Headquarters | Old Parliament House |
| Location |
|
|
Region
|
Australia |
|
Co-Chairs
|
Professor Tom Calma AO Melinda Cilento |
| Karen Mundine | |
|
Revenue (2016)
|
 $10.9 million |
Reconciliation Australia is a special group that works to bring people together in Australia. It is a non-government, not-for-profit organisation. It started in January 2001. Its main goal is to help Indigenous Australians (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people) and non-Indigenous Australians understand each other better. They work to build stronger relationships and a fairer country for everyone.
This group was created by an earlier council called the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation. That council aimed to set up a plan for reconciliation in Australia. Reconciliation Australia helps organise National Reconciliation Week every year. There is also an Australian Reconciliation Network which includes similar groups in each of Australia's six states.
Contents
What is Reconciliation Australia?
Reconciliation Australia is a non-profit organisation. This means it does not aim to make money. Instead, it works for a good cause. It focuses on bringing Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians closer. They want to create a fair and equal Australia. The group helps people learn about Indigenous cultures and histories. They also encourage respect and understanding.
How Reconciliation Australia Started
The Idea of Reconciliation
The idea for reconciliation came from a big report in April 1991. This report was from the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. It suggested that Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians should work towards reconciliation.
On September 2, 1991, the Australian Parliament agreed. They voted to create the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation (CAR). This council was set up to start a formal reconciliation process. Parliament hoped this process would be complete by 2001. That year marked 100 years since Australia became a federation.
The Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation
The CAR had a clear goal: "A united Australia which respects this land of ours; values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage; and provides justice and equity for all." Patrick Dodson was the first leader of the CAR. The CAR was meant to last for 10 years.
Creating Reconciliation Australia
When the CAR finished its work in January 2001, it created Reconciliation Australia. This new organisation continued the important work. The Hon Fred Chaney was one of the first co-chairs. He served on the board for almost 15 years. Jackie Huggins also served as a co-chair for some time.
The "Recognise" Campaign
What the Campaign Was About
In 2012, Reconciliation Australia started the "Recognise" campaign. This campaign followed advice from a group of experts. These experts suggested changing the Australian Constitution. The goal was to officially recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Constitution.
The "Recognise" campaign aimed to teach all Australians about this need. It wanted people to understand why a change to the Constitution was important. Before the campaign, only 30% of people knew about this issue. After the campaign, over 75% of Australians were aware.
How the Campaign Worked
Tanya Hosch was a key person in the campaign. She spoke at the National Press Club in February 2013. In May 2013, her team travelled across Australia. They wanted to share information and get people involved. This included talking to the public and building support. They also spoke with Aboriginal people in remote areas.
The campaign tour was inspired by a "Long Walk" in 2004. That walk was done by AFL player Michael Long. The "Recognise" campaign ended in 2017. The government stopped funding it then. By that time, over 318,000 people supported it. More than 160 community and business groups were also partners.
How Reconciliation Australia Works
Funding and Support
Reconciliation Australia gets its money from different places. Businesses and the government provide funds. People in Australia can also donate money. These donations can be tax-deductible.
The organisation works with businesses, government, and individuals. They all work together to make positive changes. Reconciliation Australia also checks on how well Australia is doing with reconciliation. A lot of their funding comes from the BHP Foundation. This is a charity group linked to the mining company BHP Group Limited.
Key People in the Organisation
As of July 2021, the board members of Reconciliation Australia included:
- Tom Calma (co-chair)
- Melinda Cilento (co-chair)
- Kenny Bedford, who represents Darnley Island
- Bill Lawson, an engineer and supporter of reconciliation
- Kirstie Parker, a Yuwallarai person and co-chair of the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples
- Joy Thomas, who advised government ministers
- Sharon Davis, a Bardi and Kija person
- Doug Ferguson, a partner at KPMG
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) is Karen Mundine. She is a Bundjalung person. She has much experience in working with communities and public speaking.
Awards and Recognition
In 2019, Reconciliation Australia received the UN Day Honour award. This award celebrates groups in Australia. It recognises those who help achieve the goals of the United Nations. These goals include promoting peace, human rights, and fairness.
National Reconciliation Week
Reconciliation Australia organises National Reconciliation Week every year. This is a special week dedicated to reconciliation. It encourages all Australians to learn about shared histories. It also celebrates cultures and achievements. The week helps people explore how they can contribute to reconciliation.
Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs)
What are RAPs?
In 2006, the Prime Minister John Howard and Professor Mick Dodson started the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program. Reconciliation Australia manages this program. RAPs are practical plans for workplaces. They help organisations take action towards reconciliation.
RAPs focus on three main areas:
- Relationships: Building strong connections between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
- Respect: Valuing Indigenous cultures and histories.
- Opportunities: Creating fair chances for Indigenous Australians.
These plans help people in workplaces understand important Indigenous issues. They also encourage meaningful engagement. RAPs aim to increase fairness in the workplace. They also help create lasting job opportunities.
Types of RAPs
There are four types of RAPs: Reflect, Innovate, Stretch, and Elevate. Each type suits different organisations. They help drive change within the organisation. They also offer chances to work with other RAP groups. For example, a RAP might include a plan to buy goods and services from certified Indigenous businesses.
Impact of RAPs
The RAP program has grown a lot. It started with eight organisations in 2006. By 2017, over 900 organisations had fully approved RAPs. A 2013 survey showed that workers in RAP organisations trusted each other more. They also had more pride in Indigenous cultures.
Co-chair Tom Calma said RAPs were changing workplace attitudes. He noted they were helping to create important economic and social improvements. Many large companies have RAPs. For example, KPMG started its first RAP in 2017. BORAL adopted its first plan in 2019. Griffith University in Queensland adopted its first RAP in 2010.
Australian Reconciliation Network
The Australian Reconciliation Network includes independent groups. These groups work in different states. They organise activities and share information. The network includes:
- New South Wales – Reconciliation NSW
- Queensland – Reconciliation Queensland
- South Australia – Reconciliation SA
- Tasmania – Reconciliation Tasmania
- Victoria – Reconciliation Victoria
- Western Australia – Reconciliation WA
See also
