10 years ago: Reconciliation march

28 May 2000
Taking 6 hours to march across Sydney Harbour Bridge a huge crowd estimated at something like 200,000 and 300,000, easily outstripping even the biggest anti-Vietnam War and nuclear disarmament rallies of earlier decades. A week later, about 60,000 people marched in Brisbane. Scores of smaller walks followed throughout the country, culminating in big marches in Melbourne and Perth at the end of the year.

By the time they finished, more than half a million Australians had marched, confirming reconciliation as a people's movement.

Ben's birthday

Japanese Maple

sky and garden

Jessica Watson: Circumnavigator

Jessica Watson has become the youngest person to sail around the world, solo, non-stop and unassisted.

After 210 days and just two days shy of her 17th birthday, Watson sailed her 10-metre yacht Ella's Pink Lady up Sydney Harbour, the same spot she left from almost seven months ago.


Thousands of people lined the foreshore to welcome her home. As she made her way up the harbour, she was flanked by a flotilla and a crowd cheering loudly, waving banners with messages of support. Her name also appeared in sky writing above the harbour.

• Jessica Watson began her journey on October 17, 2009
• Returned to Sydney Harbour on May 15, 2010
• Journey covered almost 23,000 nautical miles
• Circumnavigation took 210 days