Tom Uren AC Memorial Lecture

This year Senator Patrick Dodson, Shadow Assistant Minister for Reconciliation and Shadow Assistant Minister for Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians, will deliver the annual Tom Uren AC Memorial Lecture, at 2pm on Sunday 20 June at Balmain Town Hall.

This year’s lecture celebrates what would have been the year of Tom Uren’s 100th birthday, which is 28 May 2021.

Senator Patrick Dodson is a Yawuru man from Broome. He has dedicated his life work to being an advocate for constructive relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples based on mutual respect, understanding and dialogue. He is a recipient of the Sydney International Peace prize.

Senator Dodson has served as Director of the Central and Kimberley Land Councils and as a Commissioner in the Royal Commission into Aboriginal Deaths in Custody. He also served as inaugural Chair of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation and as Co-Chair of the Expert Panel for Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians.

Tom Uren was passionate about Indigenous land rights as both a political activist and a parliamentarian. Tom Uren was an important and early supporter in parliament for the Gurindji people during the Wave Hill walk-off and later as Minister for Territories in the Hawke Government he gave the Aboriginal community in Wreck Bay, within the ACT territory of Jervis Bay, their land freehold title.

The event is free and is sure to be a well-attended. Due to Covid restrictions the event will be capped at 150 participants so make sure you get in quick!

It will be a great event!