The referendum, which received a record 90 per cent YES vote from the Australian people, is largely remembered as a vote that gave the federal government specific power to make laws regarding Indigenous Australians and opened the door to Commonwealth involvement in indigenous affairs.

Forty years on, to mark the occasion, four key Australian government organisations have come together to encourage reflection on the implications of the referendum.

The National Archives of Australia is working in conjunction with the Australian Public Service Commission, the National Museum of Australia and the Department of Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs to exhibit a selection of artworks from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Art Collection. Each organisation is working in different ways towards reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

‘The collection represents more than 30 years of collecting by a succession of Australian government agencies,’ said Ross Gibbs, Director-General of the National Archives of Australia.

‘One of the most exciting aspects of this exhibition is that members of the public will be able to see these works of art together for the first time. We feel very privileged to showcase them at the National Archives.’

The collection shows a diversity of artists, communities and styles and the works on display represent the best of the different Indigenous art styles and regional differences.

The Drawing Together exhibition features 70 works of art, many by well-known artists including Sally Morgan, Mini Heath, Fiona Foley, Jimmy Pike and Queenie McKenzie. The whole collection contains 1500 items, valued at $3 million.

Drawing Together … Showcasing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Art Collection will be on display at the National Archives of Australia from 18 May to 15 July 2007.