On 19 February 2009, Equal Opportunity Commissioner Linda Matthews attended Wodlianni, Stolen Generations Coming Home Reconciliation and Healing Event at Government House.

Wodlianni marked the 173rd anniversary of the 1836 Letters Patent establishing the Province of South Australia.  The event marked commitment to preserving the rights of Aboriginal inhabitants, honoured contributions to the advancement of Aboriginal rights and wellbeing, and encouraged the pursuit of reconciliation and healing by all. 

Wodlianni was hosted and supported by the Journey of Healing and Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (S.A.) Inc. (ANTaR SA), with support from Adelaide City Council.

Excerpt from the Letters Patent issued February 19th, 1836, under Act of Parliament by King William IV of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland:

"We do hereby Erect and Establish one Province to be called the Province of South Australia—And we do hereby fix the Boundaries of the said Province in manner following... Provided Always that nothing in those our Letters Patent contained shall affect or be construed to affect the rights of any Aboriginal Natives of the said Province to the actual occupation or enjoyment in their own Persons or in the Persons of their Descendants of any Lands therein now actually occupied or enjoyed by such Natives...".

View full document on the ANTaR SA website>>

View the Governor of South Australia's speech - "Commemoration of the issuing of the 1836 letters patent">>

Download the 2009 Calendar of Significant Aboriginal Dates in Australian History as published by the Journey of Healing Association (S.A.) Inc.

Contacts

Related events

2009 Schedule of Candle Light Walks around Government House - produced by the Roma Mitchell Human Rights Volunteer Service (http://rmhrvs.auspics.org.au)

Reconciliation Calendar for 2009 - produced by the Premier's Department - AARD (http://www.premcab.sa.gov.au/dpc/department_aard.html)