2022

1. 24 January

   The government pays more than $20m to obtain the copyright to the Aboriginal flag and terminate commercial licenses owned by companies which had limited the reproduction of the symbol. Now all Australians can freely display and use the flag.

   The agreement also includes a payment to the designer of the flag, Harold Thomas, to secure the copyright, the establishment of an annual scholarship in Thomas’s name for First Nations students, and the commonwealth donating royalties from sales of the Aboriginal flag to the NAIDOC Committee.
   

2. 15 March

   

   Australia Post's issue of Australian Legends of Filmmaking includes one stamp featuring Kaytetye man Warwick Thornton from Alice Springs. His many films include shorts, documentaries and features and highlight First Nations topics, perspectives and experiences. Thornton is best known for feature films Samson & Delilah (2009) and Sweet Country (2017).

3. 28 March

   

   Australia Post joins the celebration of Lance Franklin's 1,000 goals with a special stamp.

4. 3 May

   In its Aboriginal Fibre Art issue, Australia Post features contemporary fibre art by Yolŋu women of the small inland community of Gapuwiyak (Lake Evella) in north-east Arnhem Land, Northern Territory. Made from plant fibres such as pandanus and coloured with natural bush dyes, these objects also have profound cultural, ceremonial and symbolic significance. The stamps show a coiled basket (Lucy Malirrimurruwuy Wanapuyngu, b. 1955), a twined conical container (Mary Djupuduwuy Guyula, 1945–2005) and a coiled, flat-bottomed basket (Nancy Walinyinawuy Guyula, 1940–2017).

   

5. 3 May

   At the 2022 Australian Performing Rights Association awards, 18-year-old Charlton Howard (The Kid Laroi) becomes the youngest ever winner of APRA's Song of the Year award with his hit Stay. He also won Songwriter of the Year and Most-performed Hip Hop/Rap Work for Without You.

6. 24 May

   A set of three stamps highlights First Nations peoples' Bush Seasonings. Plants made up about half of a traditional diet, and many native species also played an important roles as medicines, fibre and construction materials, and in ceremonies. The stamps feature Mountain Pepper (Tasmannia lanceolata), River Mint (Mentha australis) and Lemon Myrtle (Backhousia citriodora).

   

7. 20 September

   

   Australia Post releases two stamps featuring rock art from the north Kimberley's Wanjina Wunggurr community. One shows crocodiles, the other one Gwion Gwion figures.

8. 22 November

   

   Baker Boy (Danzal Baker) becomes the inaugural First Nations artist in the history of the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Music Awards who claims the Awards' top prize in its 35-year history.

   He wins album of the year for his debut full-length album Gela, and best solo artist. His album also wins for best hip-hop/rap release, best cover art (for designer Adnate), and best mixed album (for engineers Pip Norman, Andrei Eremin and Dave Hammer). At the National Indigenous Music Awards in August, Baker Boy won artist of the year and album of the year.
   

2023

1. 2 February

   The Reserve Bank of Australia announces that it will update the $5 banknote to feature a new design that honours the culture and history of the First Australians. The new design will replace the portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The other side of the $5 banknote will continue to feature the Australian Parliament. ^[1]

   I welcome the decision taken by the independent Reserve Bank to ensure that the new $5 note recognises and celebrates the culture and history and heritage of Indigenous Australians.

   — Jim Chalmers, Treasurer ^[2]

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References