In 1988, Australia marked a significant moment in its eons-long history: the bicentenary of the arrival of the First Fleet. Celebrated by some, commiserated by others, this complex moment for Australian society still reverberates almost 40 years on.

On the day, 26 January 1988, there was both protests and parties. Connecting it all was Radio Redfern, Sydney’s first community Aboriginal radio station. Operating out of a Victorian terrace on the Block, the Radio Redfern studio hosted numerous First Nations icons as they made their way to Gadigal Country to share the moment with their Brothers and Sisters. This includes icons like the Hon Linda Burney, Brenda Croft, Oodgeroo Noonuccal, Gary Foley, Tiga Bayles, Mac Silva and even a young Ernie Dingo seen in this clip singing with an acoustic guitar a beautiful version of Peter, Paul and Mary’s ‘500 Miles’.

Memorialising it all were filmmakers Sharon Bell and Geoff Burton who were on the ground amongst community, making sure the voices, ideas and songs were immortalised for future generations.

Notes by Dean Cross