2011 Census News Release

National Reconciliation Week - South Coast Aboriginal Community Counts

Tomorrow's anniversary of the 1967 referendum which removed the Constitutional clauses that discriminated against Aboriginal Australians is particularly significant for this year’s Census on 9 August 2011.

Shoalhaven and Eurobodalla District Manager Michelle Miran says that while this year’s Census marks 100 years of Census taking in Australia, Aboriginal Australians have only been counted for the past 40 years.

“The successful 1967 referendum allowed Aborigines to be counted for the first time in the 1971 Census. This National Reconciliation Week is a good time to acknowledge and reflect on this important milestone."

“For the 2011 Census we have been working closely with local Aboriginal communities and leaders for nearly two years."

Michelle Miran says that two important South Coast Aboriginal leaders have recently joined her local Census team in key leadership roles.

"Much loved and respected Shoalhaven Elder Uncle Sonny (Henry) Sims, who has family connections all through the South Coast, has come on board as a local Area Supervisor," Michelle Miran says.

"Uncle Sonny is joined by young leader and Deputy Chair of the Wreck Bay Land Council, Joseph Brown, who will also be working hard with his community to get a good Census count."

"It's wonderful to have Uncle Sonny and Joe, both born and bred South Coast locals, spreading the important message about the value of the Census."

"Information collected in the Census is used to show where things like health clinics, schools, roads and other important services should be."

For more information on Census collector and interviewer jobs available for local Aboriginal people please call 1800 052 360.