National Reconciliation Week

Now more than ever | 27 May to 3 June

Each year, National Reconciliation Week runs from 27 May to 3 June, celebrating the achievements in Australia’s journey towards reconciliation. This is an opportunity to reflect on and explore our actions towards attaining reconciliation, and celebrate the voices and influence of First Nations peoples in our community.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are the oldest continuing cultures on earth, dating back thousands of years. Building stronger relationships with first nations peoples, valuing their cultures, heritage and their contribution to the social fabric of our community is priority.

National Reconciliation Week commemorates three significant milestones in the reconciliation journey: the successful 1967 Referendum (27 May), Torres Strait Islander flag day (29 May) and the High Court Mabo decision (3 June).

Join Sunshine Coast Council to celebrate reconciliation week and our achievements, commitments, and partnerships with the first nations community.

First Nations library cards

Join online and visit your local library during National Reconciliation Week to collect your limited edition First Nations library card. The cards feature artwork by Kabi Kabi artists, Kane Brunjes and Amanda Pitt-Lythgoe.

A special event screening of 'The New Boy'

Reconciliation Week 2024 film event | 27 May 2024

Cate Blanchett, Wayne Blair, newcomer Aswan Reid and Deborah Mailman star in The New Boy.

An Australian drama set in 1940, about a young orphan boy who arrives in the dead of night at a remote monastery run by a renegade Nun where he begins to question his faith and loyalty to his heritage. Music by Nick Cave and Warren Ellis. Film written and directed by Warwick Thornton. Register online.

eMovies

Enjoy Australian eMovies through Beamafilm and hoopla:

  • Our Voice, Our Heart (2023) The sun-drenched landscapes of the Northern Territory form the backdrop for a politically neutral, storytelling approach aimed at fostering learning and connection between Indigenous Australian communities and urban Australians.
  • Wash My Soul in the River’s Flow (2021)
  • Zach’s Ceremony (2016): Growing up isn’t easy for a young man torn between the modern world and his ancient culture.
  • Ablaze (2021): The true story of the first Aboriginal filmmaker William ‘Bill’ Onus.
  • Emu Runner (2019) Gem, a spirited 8-year-old girl, deals with the grief of her mother’s death by forging a bond with a wild emu.
  • In My Blood It Runs (2019) Filmmaker Maya Newell follows a 10-year-old Aboriginal boy and his family as they strive to give him the best education possible.
  • Tudawali (1987) Ernie Dingo delivers an outstanding portrayal of Robert Tudawali, the first Aboriginal film star, whose lead role in Jedda is iconic Australian cinema.
  • Sweet Country (2017) When Aboriginal stockman Sam kills white station owner Harry March in self-defence, Sam and his wife Lizzie go on the run.
  • Jedda (1955) In the Australian Classic, a young Indigenous woman is caught between two cultures.
  • Manganinnie (1980) In colonial Australia, an Aboriginal woman takes a lost white child under her wing.
  • Utopia (2013) Utopia is a vast region in northern Australia and home to the oldest human presence on earth. ‘This film is a journey into that secret country’.
  • Servant or Slave (2017) In Australia, during the era of the Stolen Generations, thousands of Aboriginal girls were taken from their families and pressed into domestic servitude by the Australian Government.
  • Contact (2009) An Indigenous woman revisits her memories of her first contact with whitefellas.
  • Putuparri and the Rainmakers (2015) Tom “Putuparri” Lawford navigates the deep chasm between his Western upbringing and his determination to keep his traditional culture alive.
  • Undermined: Tales from the Kimberley (2019) What is the true cost of doing business? Australia’s vast and unspoiled Kimberley region is under threat, with mining, pastoralism and irrigated agriculture driving an unprecedented land grab.
  • David Gulpilil Retrospective (1971-2002) A retrospective of David Gulpilili’s most significant works in Australian cinema.

eAudiobooks

Listen to First Nations stories with eAudiobooks:

  • Seafaring: Canoeing Ancient Songlines
  • Gigorou: It’s Time to Reclaim Beauty: First Nations Wisdom and Womanhood
  • Gulpilil by Derek Rielly
  • Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence
  • Growing up Aboriginal in Australia
  • Black Duck
  • Born into This
  • Australiana
  • Terra Nullius
  • The Yield
  • Tell Me Why
  • Dark Emu
  • Debutante
  • Swallow the Air
  • Carpentaria
  • Taboo

Download these titles and more with BorrowBox, Libby and uLibrary apps using your library member number and password.

Music

Listen to inspiring First Nations Music Artists:

  • Thelma Plum
  • Mitch Tambo
  • Jessica Mauboy
  • The Kid LAROI
  • Baker Boy
  • Emily Wurramara
  • Yothu Yindi
  • Christine Anu
  • King Stingray
  • Miiesha
  • Xavier Rudd
  • Jem Cassar-Daley

Get started with the Music eLibrary by using your library card number on Freegal Music and hoopla.

Discover more of the First Nations library collection with Jigsaw Puzzles – First Nations designs (assorted pieces); toys and children’s books.

Find out about First Nations events held across the Sunshine Coast.

Further information can be found through the Sunshine Coast Council’s First Nations Partnerships.

Not a member? Join online to get instant access to the Sunshine Coast Libraries.

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First Nations library card

First Nations library card

First Nations library card

First Nations library card