National Reconciliation Week 2025: Bridging Now to Next
26 May 2025
Australian people will come together from 27 May to 3 June to mark National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2025, a time to learn about our shared history and strengthen relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous Australians.
This year’s theme, “Bridging Now to Next,” encourages all Australians to take steps forward, guided by the lessons of the past, to help build a more united and respectful nation.
This year’s artwork, created by Kalkadoon artist Bree Buttenshaw, features native plants which regenerate after fire, symbolising strength, renewal and hope.
It also is a reminder to come together so we can grow through challenges and continue the journey of reconciliation.
Reconciliation is a shared responsibility, and it must live in our hearts, minds and actions. While Australia has made progress, there have also been setbacks. This theme invites us to keep moving forward together.
At SWSPHN, we’re committed to playing our part in reconciliation by learning, listening, and fostering a culture which values and respects Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories and cultures.
We encourage everyone to take a moment during National Reconciliation Week to reflect, engage in a local event, or explore resources to deepen your understanding of reconciliation. Even small actions can help us move forward together.
This year also marks 25 years since Corroboree 2000, when thousands of Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous people of Australia, walked together across the Sydney Harbour Bridge to show support for reconciliation. This powerful moment is still remembered as a turning point in our national story.
NRW takes place each year between two key milestones in the reconciliation journey:
- the 1967 Referendum, when Australians voted to count Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Census
- the 1992 Mabo decision, which recognised native title and challenged the myth of terra nullius
Today, NRW is celebrated in schools, workplaces, community groups and homes around the country. It’s a time to reflect, learn, and take meaningful action.
Find out more at reconciliation.org.au or by searching #NRW2025.
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