First Nation Support

Gympie Regional Council pays respect to the past, present and future Traditional Custodians of the land within the Gympie region local government area:

• the Kabi Kabi / Gubbi Gubbi which includes the majority of country within the Gympie region local government area
• the Wakka Wakka in the west of Gympie region
• the Butchulla people in the north-east of the Gympie region.

Council also acknowledges all First Nations people who live in the Gympie region and the continuation of cultural, spiritual and educational practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Gympie Regional Council supports initiatives and projects that promote reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous community members.  

Gympie Memorial Park Monument

A dedication ceremony held in July this year honoured our First Nations service men and women. The monument, in Gympie Memorial Park, is a reminder of our First Nations people who fought and defended our country.

Sorry Day 26 May

On 26 May 1997 the landmark Bringing Them Home report was tabled in Federal Parliament. The report captured the findings and recommendations from the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from Their Families. Copies of the report are available through Gympie Regional Libraries or on-line. National Sorry Day is held on 26 May each year to commemorate the anniversary of the report and remember the grief, suffering and injustice experienced by the stolen generations.   

Visit Reconciliation Australia - Sorry Day Information & Timeline of events and check this page for annual Sorry Day commemorations in the Gympie region.

Reconciliation Week

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The dates for NRW remain the same each year - 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in Australia’s reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and High Court Mabo decision respectively.

Check this page for local events and visit:

National Reconciliation Week - Reconciliation Australia for more information about Naidoc Week Celebrations.

Naidoc Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Wherever you live, you can take part in NAIDOC Week celebrations in July each year. The week is a chance for all Australians to support the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. 

The NAIDOC 2021 theme is Heal Country.

For more information about NAIDOC Week, visit www.naidoc.org.au