Western Australian Museum CEO Dr Dawn Casey said today that the Right wrongs, write yes! Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the 1967 Referendum exhibition looked at an event that took 10 years of tough campaigning by groups, organisations, politicians and individuals of all persuasions to bring about.

“The 1967 Referendum can be regarded as a watershed in a decade of turbulence and change for Aboriginal people that began in the early 1960s and ended in the early 1970s,” Dr Casey said.

“The referendum on May 27, 1967 included removing the impediments to the Commonwealth Government in making special laws with respect to Aboriginal people and formally counting them in the census,” she said.

“It is also thought that it permitted the Commonwealth Government to be involved in Aboriginal affairs for the first time.

“While none of this was the case, the 1967 referendum provided an undeniable impetus for significant legislation and funding decisions through to the present.

“Perhaps most importantly of all, for many Indigenous people, the result of the referendum was very simple – they felt that, for the first time, non-Indigenous Australia recognised them as human beings and as part of the nation.”

Dr Casey said there were many Indigenous Western Australians who took part in the campaign in the lead up to the Referendum. “In WA, activists such as Charles Pell, playwright Jack Davis, George Abdullah and EC Gare led groups in gaining Aboriginal issues widespread recognition,” she said.

“Their work helped galvanise a nation to return a result that became a clear marker in the call for reform and change – reform and change that continues to this day.”

Media contact: Caroline Lacy on 9212 3860 or 0417 970239.

You can visit the 1967 Referendum Virtual Exhibition by clicking here.