Calendar of Events
M Mon
T Tue
W Wed
T Thu
F Fri
S Sat
S Sun
0 events,
0 events,
2 events,
1992: High Court Decision in the Mabo Case
This year marks the 29th anniversary of the Mabo Decision where six out of seven High Court judges agreed that the Meriam people held traditional ownership of the lands of Mer in the Torres Strait. Eddie Koiki Mabo successfully argued that his family’s ancestral land was not owned by the Crown. This landmark decision in the High Court of Australia overturned ‘terra nullius’, an understanding that Australia was empty land belonging to no one before British occupation.
3 events,
1989: Tiananmen Square Massacre, Bejing
Today we remember the students who were killed in Tiananmen Square while protesting for democracy. For last year's anniversary, Hong Kong Catholics organised an exhibition so that younger generations may gain insight into what happened. Find our more here. Learn about the iconic image of a lone unarmed man confronting a row of tanks here.… Read More »1989: Tiananmen Square Massacre, Bejing
1 event,
World Environment Day
Celebrated every year since 1974, World Environment Day is a good time to focus on the environmental dimensions of the Sustainable Development Goals. This year the theme is celebrating biodiversity. The 2020 World Environment Day global campaign aims at highlighting how we as humans are inextricably linked to and depend on nature for our existence… Read More »World Environment Day
0 events,
0 events,
2 events,
2004: Queensland Bishops issue ‘Let the Many Coastlands be glad!’ Pastoral Letter on the Great Barrier Reef
"The Holy Spirit is clearly guiding us into a deeper sense ofcompanionship and care in regard to all the varied forms of life onplanet Earth. Not only is the Reef a precious ecosystem in itself, but alsoan integral part of the one web of planetary life that connects us all –the human species and all… Read More »2004: Queensland Bishops issue ‘Let the Many Coastlands be glad!’ Pastoral Letter on the Great Barrier Reef
0 events,
1 event,
1838: Myall Creek Massacre, NSW
The Myall Creek Massacre was just one example of the widespread culture of frontier violence against Aboriginal people in New South Wales in the 1830’s. Muswellbrook police magistrate Edward Denny Day described this ongoing conflict as ‘a war of extermination’ by some stockmen, settlers, and convicts.
2 events,
1988: Barunga Statement presented by Aboriginal leaders to Prime Minister Bob Hawke
The presentation of the Barunga Statement to Prime Minister Bob Hawke was an important moment in the movement for a treaty. Learn more about how the Statement came to be presented at the Barunga Festival here.
0 events,
0 events,
1 event,
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Today is a good day to revisit the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Social Justice Statement for 2016–17 ‘A Place at the Table: Social justice in an ageing society’. It celebrates the value, dignity and significant contributions of older people to the life of the community. In solidarity with all generations, older people have a rightful place… Read More »World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
0 events,
0 events,
2 events,
1 event,
0 events,
1 event,
2 events,
Day of the Seafarer
As the Day of the Seafarer celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, seafarers are on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read about the Church in Australia's support for seafarers on the Ruby Princess here. Find out more about the work of the Apostleship of the Sea here.
0 events,
0 events,
2 events,
2009: Pope Benedict XVI’s encyclical Caritas in Veritate (Charity in Truth)
“Knowing that we, as persons and communities, are part of God’s family gives us a vision and energy to serve a truly integral human development.”Pope Benedict XVI, Caritas in Veritate, n 78. Read a general introduction to Caritas in Veritate here.
2 events,
World Social Media Day
Can you imagine living through a pandemic without social media? World Social Media Day is a time to recognise and celebrate social media's impact of global communication. Here are some ideas for activities: Revisit the Social Justice Statement Making it Real: Genuine human encounter in our digital world with your parish, school or community group.Share… Read More »World Social Media Day
2 events,
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday is the first Sunday in July. NAIDOC Week follows because it is always celebrated in the first full week of July. This year, due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will be an online Mass for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday steamed live from the Adelaide Cathedral. Here is an… Read More »Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Sunday
NAIDOC Week
Here is an important announcement from the National NAIDOC Committee: The National NAIDOC Committee has decided to postpone NAIDOC Week 2020 (5 July - 12 July) in the interest of safety for our communities. This decision was not taken lightly.We have taken on-board the advice from the Federal Government, health experts, our key partners and… Read More »NAIDOC Week