CASEY mayor Colin Butler said National Reconciliation Week celebrations provided a focus on learning about the culture and history of Australia’s indigenous people.

He said it also provided ways to explore new and better ways of meeting challenges in our communities.

He said the 2007 theme “Their Spirit Still Shines” highlighted the 40th anniversary of the referendum to count Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in the national population census.

“It also gave the Commonwealth Government power to make specific laws in respect of indigenous people.

“This is evident in our support for projects and policies that address the challenges facing Aboriginals and recognises their culture as a valued part of our lives,” Cr Butler said.

“The 1967 referendum was Australia’s most successful referendum and a defining event in our nation’s history.

“It is often referred to as the first stage of the reconciliation movement in Australia.

“In the City of Casey we join in the celebration of Reconciliation Week and strive towards reconciliation in the design and delivery of services every day.”

The Aboriginal flag was raised at the Casey civic centre on Friday 25 May in a ceremony to recognise the 11th National Reconciliation Week.

Cr Butler joined indigenous speaker Vicki Nicholson Brown and Aboriginal elders in raising the flag and talking about what reconciliation meant for them.