Aboriginal Sunday*

Abstract

This is the twenty-third year in which a special day for Aboriginal Australians has been organised. Pastor Doug Nichols (now Sir Douglas Nichols) held the first Aboriginal Sunday at his small chapel in Fitzroy, Melbourne in 1957. His original intention was to publicise and aim for recognition of the prior-ownership by Aborigines of Australia.

Aboriginal Sunday has now become National Aborigines Week (July 9–15), with Friday, July 13, designated National Aborigines Day this year.

A National Aborigines Day Observance Committee (NADOC) from Melbourne co-ordinates events, ranging from a Ball at the Lakeside International Hotel, Canberra, to displays by local schools around this year’s theme, What About Our Kids?

This article looks at changes in the educational area, and asks the question, “Where to now?”