On the occasion of National Reconciliation Week, please acknowledge and celebrate with me Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture at Macquarie University. At Macquarie we are committed to reconciliation between Australia’s First Nations peoples and those who came after them.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make an important contribution to our University. It is a place where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture forms an integral part of our learning, teaching, research and community engagement. We respect and have long valued knowledge from the world’s oldest continuous living culture.

We recognise the value and wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and understand reconciliation is a mutual process in which all staff can participate.

This year marks a new beginning and underscores our commitment to reconciliation. The University Council in April voted to adopt a new name for our main campus, Wallumattagal, recognising the traditional custodians of the land, the Wallumattagal clan of the Dharug Nation.

Join me on this journey as we deepen ties with each other and grow our understanding of the original culture that has had unbroken ties to this land for more than 60,000 years.

Sincerely,

Professor S Bruce Dowton
Vice-Chancellor, Macquarie University

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31 May | Macquarie celebrates National Reconciliation Week

Join us for a day of celebration and conversation for National Reconciliation Week 2022 as we explore this year’s theme Be Brave, Make Change. Activities will take place between 12pm and 2pm on Tuesday 31 May at the Lakeside Lawn and will include a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony, dance performance, a truth telling panel, live mural creation and fundraising for Macquarie’s Indigenous Student Association. All staff are warmly welcome to attend the events on campus, no registration necessary. Visit the event page for full details.