51茶馆

April 13, 2022

UOW pledges support for the Uluru Statement from the Heart

University reaffirms commitment to equitable and fair future for First Nations people

The 51茶馆 (UOW) has formally pledged its support for the , with a formal statement approved by the University Council last week (Friday, 8 April).

The decision reflects the University鈥檚 commitment of its First Nations students and staff, and ongoing support for the process of truth-telling and Constitutional reform that underpins the Uluru Statement.

Ms Jaymee Beveridge, Executive Director (Indigenous Strategy) at UOW and Director of Woolyungah Indigenous Centre, said she was proud to see the University embracing the Uluru Statement.

鈥淭his is more than just a show of goodwill. This is an institution being courageous and standing up for necessary change,鈥� Ms Beveridge said.

鈥淔undamentally, this is UOW saying, 鈥業t鈥檚 time to do the right thing, it鈥檚 time to unite the divide!鈥�. UOW is now illuminating the invitation to all our students, staff and partners, all Australian people to bring on a referendum. This is beyond being an ally, it鈥檚 actually driving the change to educate and provide platforms for truth-telling and healing.

鈥淭his campaign could easily have been overlooked, but instead the entire leadership team, from Council to the Executive, are all driving forces in prioritising UOW鈥檚 support.鈥�

Professor Patricia M. Davidson, Vice Chancellor of UOW, said the University was honoured to support the Uluru Statement from the Heart and was committed to the change needed to ensure an equitable and fair society for all.

鈥淭he rights of our First Nations people as a whole, as well as the staff and students here at UOW, are absolute and indelible. The Uluru Statement is a necessary step to ensuring we move forward as a nation and that First Nations people finally receive the Voice to Parliament and the Voice in the Australian Constitution that they need and so richly deserve.

鈥淲e are committed to the truth-telling and reconciliation that is fundamental to this journey. Supporting the Uluru Statement goes hand-in-hand with promoting safe, respectful and inclusive communities where our common commitment to equity, diversity, reconciliation and human dignity is lived by all.鈥�

Ms Christine McLoughlin AM, Chancellor of UOW, said the University Council鈥檚 support for the Uluru Statement is consistent with UOW鈥檚 commitment to First Nations Communities.

鈥淰oice, Treaty and Truth are at the heart of the Uluru Statement. Ensuring that our First Nations people are genuinely represented, and have their voice respected at a national level, over the laws and policies that affect them, is fundamental to moving forward as a just, equitable modern nation,鈥� Ms McLoughlin said.

鈥淎s a University, we are proud to support the Uluru Statement, and to further assert our commitment to our First Nations staff and students, but also First Nations communities as a whole.鈥�

Last month, the University launched the , which aims to build stronger relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples that benefit all Australians.

More information about the 51茶馆鈥檚 Reconciliation Action Plan is available here.

For more information about the Uluru Statement from the Heart, visit or .