The Albanese Labor Government recognises 50 years since the Gurindji land handback, a turning point in the struggle for Aboriginal land rights.
On 16 August 1975, Labor Prime Minister Gough Whitlam poured soil into Vincent Lingiari's hands, during an official handover ceremony which formally granted the Gurindji people a lease to a parcel of land at Wave Hill cattle station.
It would become an iconic image of land rights and a defining moment in Australian history.
Almost a decade earlier, on 23 August 1966, 200 Gurindji, Mudburra and Warlpiri stockmen, domestic workers and their families, led by Vincent Lingiari, had taken a stand.
They led a walk-off from Wave Hill station against injustice, not just about their pay and working conditions but about their land.
The Wave Hill Walk-Off continued for nine years, during that time the strikers moved back to their traditional Country at Daguragu (Wattie Creek), closer to their sacred sites.
The lengthy campaign was a significant milestone in the Aboriginal land rights movement.
Their courage helped pave the way for the Aboriginal Land Rights (Northern Territory) 1976 Act, Commonwealth legislation enabling First Nations people in the NT to claim land rights for Country where traditional ownership could be proven.
Next week, the annual Freedom Day Festival will bring people together on Gurindji Country to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the handback and the anniversary of the Wave Hill Walk-Off.
The 2025 Freedom Day Festival, a celebration of land rights, self-determination and community, will be held at Kalkarindji August 22 - 24.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese:
"Today we remember a mighty victory and we honour those who fought and won their long battle for justice.
"Even now, when we hear the word Gurindji we picture the endless blue of the outback sky and the vivid red earth trickling from Gough's hand into Vincent's.
"That iconic image stands as an enduring tribute to the courage, determination and solidarity of a proud people.
"Yet as Gough said to Vincent on this historic day: "Your fight was not for yourselves alone".
"There is more to do to ensure traditional owners can unlock the economic potential of their land and build the long term prosperity that will see their communities thrive.
"Let the milestone we look back on today, inspire us for the journey ahead."
Quotes attributable to Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy:
"The Wave Hill Walk-Off laid the foundation for Aboriginal land rights across the Northern Territory and the country.
"This year's Freedom Day Festival will reflect on 50 years since the Commonwealth, through Prime Minister Gough Whitlam, recognised the Gurindji people, through Vincent Lingiari.
"The formal handover of land to the Gurindji people - and the soil passing from one hand to another - is a defining moment in the Aboriginal land rights movement and Australian history."
