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1986: Meeting of Saint John Paul II with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Alice Springs

"Dear Aboriginal people: the hour has come for you to take on new courage and new hope. You are called to remember the past, to be faithful to your worthy traditions, and to adapt your living culture whenever this is required by your own needs and those of your fellowman. Above all you are called… Read More »1986: Meeting of Saint John Paul II with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Alice Springs

1980: Death of Dorothy Day, Founder of the Catholic Worker Movement

Dorothy Day was a journalist and social activist who cofounded the Catholic Worker Movement with Peter Maurin. Her approach to social issues combined direct service of the poor, prayer, advocacy and civil disobedience. People began hailing Dorothy a saint shortly after her death in 1980. The cause for her canonisation is underway and in 2012… Read More »1980: Death of Dorothy Day, Founder of the Catholic Worker Movement

Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare

This commemoration provides an opportunity to pay tribute to the victims of chemical warfare, as well as to reaffirm the commitment of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to the elimination of the threat of chemical weapons, thereby promoting the goals of peace, security, and multilateralism. United Nations, Day of Remembrance for all Victims… Read More »Day of Remembrance for All Victims of Chemical Warfare

Saint Andrew

"St. Andrew was a fisherman who lived in Galilee during the time of Jesus. He often followed John the Baptist and listened to his teachings. Like the other apostles, Andrew became a missionary. He preached about Jesus in the area around the Black Sea. Tradition tells us he preached in northern Greece, Turkey, and Scythia… Read More »Saint Andrew

People being a banner saying "Free West Papua" with the West Papua flag

1961: First raising of the Morning Star flag, West Papua

The morning star flag was first raised in West Papua 60 years ago on 1 December. The flag was raised by West Papua legislators promised independence, however, Indonesia invaded the area in 1962 and since then the flag has been a sign of resistance and outlawed. The day is usually celebrated with marches, prayer services and flag raising services, however, there is currently an outbreak of violence in West Papua. Peter Arndt speaks to the current situation.

1976: Appointment of Sir Douglas Nicholls as Governor of South Australia, first Aboriginal person to hold vice-regal office

"A trailblazer who won hearts around the nation, the achievements of Sir Douglas Nicholls KCVO OBE JP are many and varied, taking in the fields of sport, politics and social justice. He broke new ground — as the first Indigenous Australian to receive a knighthood in 1972, and the first to be appointed to vice-regal… Read More »1976: Appointment of Sir Douglas Nicholls as Governor of South Australia, first Aboriginal person to hold vice-regal office

International Day for Abolition of Slavery

Slavery is not something from the past. According to the  International Labour Organisation (ILO) more than 40 million people worldwide are victims of modern slavery. 'Modern slavery' is an umbrella term referring to practices such as forced labour, debt bondage, forced marriage, and human trafficking. These practices place people in situations of exploitation that they cannot refuse… Read More »International Day for Abolition of Slavery

2000: 350,000 people walk for reconciliation in Melbourne and Perth

The Melbourne walk, starting at Flinders Street Station and finishing at King’s Domain gardens, drew as many as 300,000 people. The bridge walk and similar events across Australia were enormously important in showing that public sentiment was moving towards support for more concrete steps in the reconciliation process. Though the event was organised by Aboriginal… Read More »2000: 350,000 people walk for reconciliation in Melbourne and Perth

A gentleman serving at a hospitality service

International Day of People with Disabilities

The International Day of People with Disabilities is on 3 December. The theme for the day is ‘Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world’. Over 4.4 million people in Australia live with a disability and this United Nations observed day aims to increase awareness, understand and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate their achievements.