Reconciliation Australia’s theme for National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2025, Bridging Now to Next, reflects the ongoing connection between past, present and future.
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) occurs every year between 27 May and 3 June.
These dates mark historically significant milestones for First Nations People and Australia’s reconciliation journey: the 1967 referendum and the historic Mabo decision.
Reconciliation is union business
IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke, caretaker of our union’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), said reconciliation was fundamental union business.
“At a time when conservative Queensland and the Northern Territory governments are demonstrating hostility towards First Nations Peoples by shamefully winding back important reconciliation initiatives, solidarity with First Nations Peoples is more important than ever,” he said.
Mr Burke said IEU members are committed to fighting for change and reconciliation daily in their workplaces, industries, professions, and communities.
“As educators, we are dedicated to making a positive difference for future generations,” he said.
“We have a powerful opportunity to impact the lives of thousands of First Nations students in our schools, kindergartens, and preschools.”
Learn more about NRW 2025 online at www.reconciliation.org.au
Member action: Change the Record
Our union encourages IEU Chapters to take action during NRW 2025 by supporting the Change the Record campaign.
The two overarching goals of the Change the Record campaign are:
- to close the gap in rates of imprisonment by 2040; and
- to cut the disproportionate rates of violence to at least close the gap by 2040, with priority strategies for women and children.
Members are encouraged to take the following key actions:
- Email your state MP asking them to reform laws which disproportionately push First Nations Peoples into prisons and to help change the record on First Nations deaths in custody www.changetherecord.org.au/emailMP
- Donate to Change the Record’s #RaiseTheAge campaign to help advance the cause, as they rely entirely on donations to continue their work.
- Sign the petition to support the call to #RaiseTheAge of criminal responsibility to at least 14 years old www.raisetheage.org.au/changetherecord
- Share these key actions via social media to raise awareness and help the campaign gain momentum www.changetherecord.org.au/rtasocial
For more information on Change the Record, visit www.changetherecord.org.au
