Anniversary of the Sydney Bridge Walk for Reconciliation

28 May 2000

On 28 May 2000, about 250,000 people crossed the Sydney Harbour Bridge in support of reconciliation. The walk was part of Corroboree 2000 and became a defining image of public support for a different relationship between First Nations and non-Indigenous Australians.

A public walk for reconciliation

The National Museum identifies the walk as the second major event of Corroboree 2000, following the previous day’s gathering. The National Film and Sound Archive preserves contemporary television reporting. Together these sources establish the date and provide perspectives from the event itself.

What participation meant

A large gathering can show solidarity, but people may participate with different understandings of what reconciliation requires. The anniversary offers an opportunity to look beyond the photograph of a crowded bridge and consider the calls for justice that gave the walk its purpose.

The walk is a distinct historical event within the period now marked by National Reconciliation Week. It should not be confused with the establishment of the week, the 1967 referendum or the Mabo judgment. A timeline that separates these moments can explain the longer movement more clearly.

For a school or workplace, the anniversary can be a point to review continuing commitments. Ask how public statements are connected to First Nations participation in decisions, action against racism and honest engagement with history. Commemoration becomes more useful when it makes those responsibilities visible.

Reflecting and learning

Compare a contemporary news report with a later account. What does the image communicate, and what further history is needed to understand the demands behind it?

Start with the sources below and distinguish the original event from later interpretations and commemorations. When using this date in a classroom or workplace, allow time for questions and further reading. First Nations peoples have diverse histories and perspectives; this brief introduction does not speak for every community.

Sources and further reading

• Walk for reconciliation — National Museum of Australia
• Newscaf: The Bridge Walk for Reconciliation — National Film and Sound Archive

Our related products and resources

We do not currently offer products or learning resources specifically for this date. The reading links above are provided for background and further learning. Suitable items from our range will be added here as they become available.