Final report of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation

We are the young of Aurukun and we are the Wik people. Our culture is strong, our land is sacred, our customs are special and sacred too. This document tells us about the future and how we are going to respect each other. And to show respect for our elders.

Students from the Koolkan Aurukun Community School (1999)

This chapter examines the status of reconciliation in Australia today by looking at the attitudes, commitments and actions from those Council knows about. It explores the changes that have taken place in Australia in the decade of the formal reconciliation process. It recognises that as a nation we are now well placed to face the challenge of resolving the issues that stand in the way of achieving Council's vision.

As the year 2000 ends, reconciliation is well and truly on the national agenda. Many more people now talk about reconciliation than they did in the early 1990s. The word itself was unfamiliar and challenged in the first half of the decade, whereas in the second half it is commonplace. Reconciliation seems to be in the news every day of the week.

Many thousands of people are taking action for change. Social research shows a greater public awareness of the key issues of reconciliation. Many national initiatives seek to bring about the changes that will make reconciliation possible.

There is growing public interest and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and history. This is fostered through media reporting and features, place-names, public art, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander tourism ventures, and the efforts of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to share their stories and to explain their perspectives. Education systems increasingly teach Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander studies. The Sydney 2000 Olympic Games demonstrated enormous Australian pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and athletes.

The Council cannot take credit for all these outcomes. However, there is no doubt that the work of the Council and the wider reconciliation movement has made a real difference.

Council has conducted social research into community attitudes at regular intervals in its term. In November 1991, the proportion of people saying they were in favour of Aboriginal reconciliation was 48%. Quantitative research indicated that knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories was negligible or poor and indicated that the concept of reconciliation was difficult and abstract.

The last series of social research was carried out early in 2000 along with nation-wide consultation on the Draft Document of Reconciliation . This Newspoll survey showed increased awareness of specific issues and areas of disagreement about them. More detailed discussion of Council's social research is included in Chapter 4 Consultation. A summary of social research undertaken over the whole period is available at Council's website: www.reconciliation.org.au.

The phenomenon of the Bridge Walks for Reconciliation in capital cities and towns across Australia during and following Corroboree 2000 has emphatically demonstrated community support for reconciliation. The Sea of Hands is further evidence of a groundswell of public support and determination to put things right between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider community. A million people have signed the Sorry Books and tens of thousands have signed the Council's Pledge Books. Hundreds of local reconciliation groups across the country have taken action to promote reconciliation and address particular issues within their own communities. When the Governor General mentioned reconciliation at the closing ceremony of the Paralympic Games, the crowd cheered and applauded. At the end of the life of the Council, it is clear that very many Australians want reconciliation.

Over the decade, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have gained much greater visibility in the media with increased participation in public life. There is growing recognition of and pride in the work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, performers and television stars. There is also greater recognition of the diversity amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who are at last even appearing in positive roles in television advertisements. More organisations are inviting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to address their meetings to present an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander view.

Increasingly, Australians recognise and respect the significance of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. These flags fly from public buildings and flagpoles to celebrate special events such as National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC week and to recognise national Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander figures. In some places, such as Flinders Island and a number of local government chambers, the Aboriginal flag flies every day of the year.

Many leaders, the media and individuals hailed the theme of partnership and sharing in the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games and the public elation at the 400 metre win by Cathy Freeman as signs of the nation's support for reconciliation. Sections of the international media, who also recognised the ongoing disadvantage suffered by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, commented that at last Australia was coming to terms with its history.

Formal parliamentary representation by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is very low in the Federal and State spheres but increasing at the local government level. There have only ever been two representatives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Commonwealth Parliament - two Senators. Senator Neville Bonner was a Liberal representative from Queensland and Senator Aden Ridgeway is a Democrat representative from NSW. Until the political parties preselect suitable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates in winnable seats, the number in Parliaments will continue to be very low. There have been few Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander politicians at the State or Territory level.

There are about a thousand elected Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander representatives in local government across Australia, mainly in areas with predominantly Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander populations. There have been recent significant increases in some areas. For instance, in NSW, following the 1995 local government elections, there were 13 Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander representatives. Since the 1999 elections, the figure now stands at 27. In addition, some local and shire councils employ Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community development officers to provide a link with and a welcoming face for local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Around 10 of the local governments who responded to the Council's commitments survey said that they intended to do this in the future.

The outstanding success of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Olympic Games must be attributed, at least in part, to the work of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members of Olympic Boards and Committees. This work provides an excellent example of Council's model for achieving reconciliation. Where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are involved in thinking and planning as decision-making partners, it is possible to achieve outstanding results that benefit all. State and local governments and many commercial organisations particularly mining companies are increasingly working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory and Consultative Committees that foster greater understanding of issues, avoid potential problems and increase participation.

Ours is a rich country with bountiful resources and we have a responsibility to use them to ensure that all people who live in this country, regardless of their colour, have basic rights, privileges, good health and freedom of opportunity.

Warren Truss, Federal Member for Wide Bay (1991)

Greater understanding of history and cultures

Over the decade there has been strong evidence of growing understanding by the Australian population of the impact of colonisation on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Data from social research indicates that a large majority of Australians recognise that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples were treated badly in the past and want to look to the future and move forward. However there is little recognition or understanding of the effect this may have had on present Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander citizens, and mixed support for special measures to achieve equity for all. This mirrors results of social research undertaken by the Council three years ago. Clearly there is still a need for further education in this area.

Extensive Council consultation indicates strong support for community education about our 'true history'. Wide participation in Council's learning circles, inclusion of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander points of view in school history teaching and feature articles on reconciliation by the media all contribute to greater community awareness. Sorry Days and the Journey of Healing have drawn attention to our sad history of forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families. There are also a growing number of street signs, regional signs and monuments with Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander place-names and histories. These celebrate cultures and recognise sites and people of significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and assist all Australians to appreciate our ancient heritage and our history.

True reconciliation cannot be legislated or mandated. It involves a process that is genuinely community-based. Its success lies in the attitudes and the openness of Australian individuals and in the commitment of our democratic and community organisations.

The Hon John Howard, Prime Minister (2000)

Government support for reconciliation

In the last decade, all Australian Parliaments have begun to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. All Parliaments in Australia have stated their support for reconciliation and all State and Territory Parliaments except the Northern Territory have given formal apologies to the members of the Stolen Generations. The Northern Territory Parliament has endorsed actions to support Aboriginal Territorians particularly those adversely affected by previous policies by which mixed race children were separated from their mothers and families.

In 1998, the Queensland Parliament recognised the traditional and living cultures of its Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by inviting an elder to speak at the commencement of the Parliamentary session. Following Corroboree 2000, for the first time in history, local elders addressed a joint sitting of the Victorian Houses of Parliament, to conduct a welcome to country and discuss the challenges to achieving reconciliation. In response, the Victorian Parliament pledged its strong support for the reconciliation process and commitment to responding on behalf of the people of Victoria to Council's national reconciliation documents. The majority of other States and Territories and the Australian Local Government Association have reaffirmed their commitment to reconciliation and undertaken to take action in relation to Council's national documents.

Government action to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Over the decade there has been growing recognition that it is necessary to involve all spheres of government if we are to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples can attain their full citizenship rights and entitlements. In 1992, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) recognised that it takes more than departments of Aboriginal Affairs to deliver equitable health, housing, education and employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. They recognised that there would be little improvement without proper coordination of effort between relevant departments and different levels of government, and measures to check progress. The COAG meeting of November 2000 has examined the effectiveness to date of this 'whole of governments' approach. This meeting recognised the mixed success of past efforts to address Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage and committed itself to an approach based on partnerships and shared responsibilities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, program flexibility and coordination between government agencies with a focus on local communities and outcomes. The Australian Local Government Association's National Agenda since 1994 has included commitments to improving service delivery to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander constituents.

Commonwealth, State and Territory Departments of Education, Health, Housing and Employment have done much this decade to improve the outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Governments have paid special attention to improving outcomes in relation to school retention rates and achievement, participation in effective health programs, access to affordable, properly serviced housing and access to the full range of jobs. While all these issues are essential, the Council has paid particular attention to the importance of sound and appropriate education of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people that respects cultures and languages, fosters leadership and leads to full participation in society. There is increasing recognition that government efforts will fail without the full involvement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in determining what needs to be done and how to do it.

Chapter 5 sets out consultations with Commonwealth, State and Territory governments as Council was developing its national reconciliation documents. Since Corroboree 2000 in May, the Council has asked governments at all levels for their responses to the documents. Council members met the Prime Minister, Premiers and Chief Ministers in September and also discussed possible further action by local government with the President of the Australian Local Government Association.

At all these meetings, Council sought a response to the Australian Declaration Towards Reconciliation, the Roadmap for Reconciliation and commitment from governments to provide support for community-based action to sustain the reconciliation process. Council also sought assurances that each government would work through COAG to develop a national system of improved, regular and public reporting of progress in relation to health, housing, employment, education and justice issues. Council also raised its concerns about the problems in many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities related to substance abuse and family violence.

The Prime Minister and all Premiers and Chief Ministers indicated their continued commitment to reconciliation and addressing disadvantage. The Premiers and Chief Ministers promised to consider requests for ongoing funding for community based reconciliation activities based on submissions from SRC Chairs. The Prime Minister, Premiers and Chief Ministers indicated their common concern at the effect of violence and substance abuse on many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. There was also an acknowledgment that governments do not necessarily have the answers, as the mixed results of substantial past efforts have shown.

The Prime Minister indicated his in-principle support for including reconciliation as a regular agenda item for COAG.

COAG recognised that reconciliation is an ongoing issue in the life of Australians and a priority issue for all governments that will require a concerted and sustained effort over many years. The Council acknowledged the unique status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and the need for recognition, respect and understanding in the wider community.

The Council agreed that many actions are necessary to advance reconciliation, from governments, the private sector, community organisations, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and the wider community. They recognised that Governments can make a real difference in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by addressing social and economic disadvantage, including life expectancy, and improving governance and service delivery arrangements with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Drawing on the lessons of the mixed success of substantial past efforts to address Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander disadvantage, COAG committed itself to an approach based on partnerships and shared responsibilities with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, and program flexibility and coordination between government agencies, with a focus on local communities and outcomes.

COAG agreed to take a leading role in driving the necessary changes and will periodically review progress under these arrangements. The first review will be in 12 months. Where they have not already done so, Ministerial Councils will develop action plans, performance reporting strategies and benchmarks.

The Ministerial Council on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs will continue its overarching coordination and performance monitoring roles, including its contribution to the work of the Review of Commonwealth/State Service Provision.

On 22 May 2000, the Prime Minister announced the government's support for the construction of a Reconciliation Place in Canberra as a gesture of its commitment to the ongoing reconciliation process and as a symbol of the nation's commitment to healing the wounds of the past. The form of the Place will be finalised after consultation with traditional owners and national representatives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Citizenship for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, I believe, has three dimensions: the securing of basic human rights which we have talked about, the recognition of specific Indigenous rights, and then embedding these distinctive attitudes and the position of Indigenous peoples into the Constitution and the laws of Australia.

Betty Churcher, then Director of NGA (1997)

In August 2000, the Council asked the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for Reconciliation to provide information about the Commonwealth Government response to the Council's national documents. Ministerial responses indicate a significant level of action by government departments that will address many of the issues that currently stand as impediments to reconciliation. A brief summary of departmental responses is included in Appendix 2 and a fuller summary of can be found on Council's website at www.reconciliation.org.au.

The Commonwealth responses indicate current and planned action to address the issues included in Council's Roadmap for Reconciliation . They also show many cases where different departments are working together to coordinate their programs to address issues such as health and community violence. Many programs are set up so that local communities can find their own solutions to local problems. Many programs address problems of access to services while others address more symbolic but no less important aspects of reconciliation.

There has been insufficient time to determine how well many of these programs are achieving their goals, and much needs to be done to achieve equitable outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples throughout Australia. Coordination of effort with State and Local Government is often critical in achieving real change and many departments reported on structures to achieve this goal. It is encouraging to see the range of programs undertaken at the Commonwealth level, although few of the reports provided analysis of their effectiveness to date.

Following the meetings with Premiers and Chief Ministers, the Council wrote seeking formal responses to its national documents. Submissions States and Territories highlight the progress that has been made in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander affairs. It is encouraging to note there is recognition that a whole-of-government approach is needed, as well as partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, in order for programs to be effective. There is also recognition that reconciliation is an ongoing issue.

Below is a brief overview of some of the undertakings being made by the States and Territories. The extended statements of commitment provided by each Premier and Chief Minister are included at Appendix 2.

The Queensland Government's Ten Year Partnership is a commitment to a long-term, whole-of-Government framework to improve accountability of performance. The Cape York Partnership is to review the way Government services are provided and seeks new ways of working in partnership with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the area.

Council member Ms Karmi Dunn makes her commitment on an almost full canvas at Corroboree 2000 in Sydney.

Photo: Karen Mork.

The ACT Government is committed to a whole-of-Government approach and has established the Interdepartmental Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Issues. They are keen to use this approach particularly to improve service delivery. The Government will offer six scholarships over the next two years to Year 12 students undertaking tertiary study in specified areas.

In September this year, the South Australian State Cabinet endorsed Aboriginal reconciliation as an integral part in the State's key strategic planning document, Directions for South Australia . An Aboriginal Affairs Advisory Forum has been established to provide whole-of-Government advice and to support Aboriginal leaders in executive management.

The Tasmanian Education Department has produced a learning-kit for primary school aged students which details Tasmanian Aboriginal history through to today's Tasmanian Aboriginal community. A review of the Government's service delivery has led to the development of a policy framework which recognises a whole-of-Government approach, the need to involve the Aboriginal community and the need to improve monitoring and evaluation.

Over the next 12 months, the Victorian Government will develop a comprehensive, integrated and holistic response to all of the Council's Strategies through a public consultation process. Three issues have been identified which must be addressed to achieve genuine reconciliation: the dispossession of land and culture; the hurt of past injustices; and the unique disadvantage, especially in health, justice and employment.

The NSW Government recognises that reconciliation is about change in policies, programs, attitudes and beliefs. In 1997 it developed a comprehensive blueprint for initiatives in areas including infrastructure, health, housing , family services, education, economic development and cultural heritage. This blueprint is based in effective relationships based on mutual respect and trust. The Premier indicated that he intends to develop new policy to build on those directions, sometimes working within the State and sometimes in concert with other Australian governments. He has also committed ongoing financial support for the State Reconciliation Committee.

The Northern Territory Chief Minister has undertaken to consider the suggestions and initiatives recommended by the Council in its national documents and work in partnership with any successor to the Council. He indicated that he was not prepared to make any commitment to follow a roadmap devised by the Council, although he was by no means rejecting the overall thrust of the strategies. He noted that he endorsed the COAG decisions about reconciliation.

The Western Australian Government stated its commitment to the reconciliation process and to ensuring that government policy and programs meets the needs and aspirations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Its programs and services have been contributing to the reconciliation process for some time and the government will take a leadership role in sustaining the process through addressing disadvantage and improving governance and service delivery. The government involves Aboriginal people in decision making by bringing together relevant State Government agency heads with Aboriginal Chairpersons of key advisory bodies for policy and planning. It has undertaken symbolic action by apologising for past policies of removing Aboriginal children from their families. The Government has committed ongoing funding for Indigenous programs and will provide further incentives to involve Aboriginal people in business ventures. It will examine the proposal to provide ongoing funding to support community-based reconciliation activities.

Local government has made a very significant contribution to reconciliation, as outlined in Chapter 5.

From early in the Council's life, the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) and State and Territory peak local government bodies have provided support and leadership to the local government sector in reconciliation issues. It is clear that many local government councils and associations have recognised the importance and benefits that reconciliation can bring to their communities.

Many local councils have committed to the Council's vision, formed local government agreements and undertaken actions to advance reconciliation. These include taking a leading local role in promoting and staging National Reconciliation Week activities as well as appointing Aboriginal liaison and policy officers in areas where most needed. Local council involvement in the reconciliation process has also been evident in their rate of acceptance of the Council's documents and strategies and the many other activities and initiatives they have implemented which provide specific benefits to their local communities.

It is clear that the local government sector recognises that there is still much to do to maintain the reconciliation process. ALGA has made firm commitments to continue to work towards reconciliation beyond the Councils final term. In particular ALGA committed to support the Council's proposals for improved outcomes in Government delivery of services at COAG.

ALGA recognised the important role local government has played in promoting and organising National Reconciliation Week events in the last few years. It agreed to propose to its constituents that local government play a coordinating role with State and Territory Reconciliation Committees and Local Reconciliation Groups in ensuring that National Reconciliation Week continues successfully in 2001.

Commitments and Actions by Institutions, Organisations, Communities and Individuals

Many groups and individuals, undertake large and small acts of reconciliation on a daily basis, with and without external support. When State and Territory governments put resources into curriculum materials, when local and shire councils fly the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and forge partnerships with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to improve delivery of services, they are showing commitment to reconciliation. When companies establish employment programs and undertake cross-cultural awareness programs for all staff they are making commitments and taking action for reconciliation.

For years now, Council's publication Walking Together has documented some of the commitments and actions for reconciliation taken by government, institutions, organisations and communities. The variety of commitments and actions reflects the creativity and energy of people and shows that reconciliation is a people's movement. Council is well aware that for every example of commitments and actions featured in Walking Together , there are probably ten or more that it simply doesn't know about.

The issue for the future is how to sustain this action so that, as a nation, we can overcome the impediments to reconciliation. Council is encouraged by the variety and level of commitment throughout the community and hopes that it has put in place sufficient measures, with its national documents, Reconciliation Australia and its legislation to ensure that we can become a reconciled nation.

In August and September 2000, the Council wrote to about 22,000 business and community organisations and individuals, to see how they responded to the national reconciliation documents. It was the first time Council had contacted about half of these people. The Council saw two immediate benefits accruing from this approach; firstly those who had not commenced reconciliation activities would be prompted into doing so; and secondly it would balance responses from those surveyed who had had previous contact with the Council. The letter stated that Council wished to include the responses in this final report and included a copy of Council's documents and an indicative survey.

1. Their activities in relation to reconciliation before the release of the documents;

3. The actions they had already undertaken and those they planned in response to the documents; and

Respondents had to reply by 25 October if Council was to be able to include the information in this report. By that date, Council had received almost 1,000 responses, from a wide cross section of people surveyed. Council is aware that this response represents a very small proportion of the overall level of commitment and action by organisations and people around Australia. However, the responses come from city and country areas of all States and Territories, so they represent a reasonable cross-section of the Australian community.

Young Aboriginals performing at the reception of the national reconciliation documents by local government leaders at Melbourne Town Hall in May 2000.

Photo: Ponch Hawkes

Responses to the survey were assessed quantitatively with regard to the first two points above and qualitatively for the last two points. Particular emphasis was placed on identifying the acceptance of the Council's documents by those key organisations detailed in Chapter 5 (business, local government, education, youth and women's groups, unions, peak bodies, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and reconciliation groups, ethnic groups service and sporting organisations and the media). Details of the responses are contained in Appendix 2 to this report.

The responses indicated that there was considerable reconciliation activity prior to the release of the Council's documents at Corroboree 2000. Many respondents indicated that they had adopted Council's vision and undertaken practical action to advance reconciliation.

Of the local governments that responded, 25% indicated that they had developed agreements with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Business indicated an 18% response rate to developing agreements. The mining sector is particularly strong in this regard, where all major players who responded have already entered into or are in the process of developing agreements to suit the needs of their operations and localities.

The responses also indicate strong support for the thrust of the Council's Documents. A majority of respondents support all or some of the Council's strategies contained in the documents. A very high proportion of respondents had identified other actions, to suit their own spheres of operation and influence, which they saw as commitments to reconciliation

Most responses identified that education and training was the most essential action to advance reconciliation. A high proportion of respondents also identified collaboration and consultation as a primary reconciliation activity and indicated that they have included relevant symbolism and recognition in their activities and protocols.

The Aboriginal leadership of this country is not seeking to divide the nation. We are seeking to unite it on just terms for the First Australians.

Ray Robinson, ATSIC Deputy Chairman (2000)

A smaller but significant number of respondents said they had developed employment policies and strategies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees. This is particularly evident in larger businesses and government agencies. Fewer respondents identified legal and statutory actions as important. The issues and actions identified covered mainly custody and imprisonment with a small percentage identifying land rights issues as important activities for them. Many respondents undertook to continue their actions to ensure that the reconciliation process continues.

In most areas outlined above, there is an increase in proposed activity levels for each category. Those respondents identifying new activities associated with employment, collaboration /consultation and symbolism showed significant increases in expected levels of activity in these important reconciliation areas. The Council saw this as significant as it confirms its view that there is still much to be done towards reconciliation. Council is also heartened that the community agrees that this is important and is taking actions to address the need.

A large majority of respondents indicated that they thought that their actions would help advance the reconciliation process. Again, many respondents identified the need to maintain the momentum gained and a significant number indicated that they saw their actions as helping to reduce disadvantage.

The Council had hoped for a higher response rate, but recognised that numbers would have been limited by the short time for response. They considered that the sample provided a reasonable indication of underlying trends and activity. Council also recognised that there may be organisations and institutions contacted for the first time who would begin to take action now.

We must all commit to reconciliation. And we must understand that reconciliation is an ongoing process - a process that is going to take time and that true reconciliation will live on in the hearts and minds of future generations of Australians. And in particular we must come to a better understanding about what reconciliation is. It's about acceptance, it's about respect, and in particular respecting the culture of Australia's first peoples.

Meg Lees, Leader of the Australian Democrats (2000)

The respondents showed a high level of support for the Council's declaration and strategies to achieve reconciliation and a strong commitment to action. Respondents were particularly committed to action in the areas of education and employment and showed strong support for the principle of partnership between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations as the only way to achieve positive change.

These detailed commitments to reconciliation action by Australian organisations were reinforced by more than 100,000 individual pledges to live out the Council's vision. These pledges were written either into Pledge Books which were available at reconciliation walks and other events and circulated in every local government area from July to September or online at Council's website.

The last decade has witnessed a remarkable growth of awareness, interest and action in relation to reconciliation. At the same time, the legacy of the past still dominates the lives of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, who remain to be convinced that reconciliation will make things better.

The final two chapters record the Council's conclusions and recommendations for ways to meet the challenges of the future.