To celebrate the 50th anniversary of this historic occasion, the Wingecarribee Reconciliation Group and council will host a community art project.

Council’s Aboriginal Community Development Officer Melissa Wiya said prior to the 1967 Referendum, Aboriginal people were still considered under the Flora and Fauna Act.

“However once Australians voted ‘Yes’, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were included in future Census counts.

“It also gave the Australian Government the power to make laws for Aboriginal people,”  she said.

“Our 50th anniversary art project is intended to both commemorate this landmark decision but also celebrate the progress made since that historic milestone.”

Ms Wiya said it would also illustrate the flow-on effects the decision had on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the land.

An anniversary gathering and barbecue lunch will be held from 10am to 2pm at the Aboriginal Cultural and Community Centre on Rainbow Road in Mittagong on May 28.

As part of the project Aunty Wendy Lotter will lead a community mural painting at the Aboriginal Cultural and Community Centre, also on May 28.

The finished mural will be placed in council’s Civic Centre courtyard during this year’s NAIDOC Week celebrations in July.

For more details contact: reconciliation.wingecarribee@gmail.com.