The High Court's recent repudiation of the legal fiction of terra nullius has begun to dismantle the foundation of the 'official' version of the history of Australia. Clearly, this dismantling is imperative if there is to be a meaningful reconciliation between Australians.
Dialogue needs to take place within the context of an honest remembering of Australian history.
An equally fundamental fiction that must also be officially repudiated is that colonisation was peaceful. Given the important symbolism of rituals of diplomacy such as Rom and Tanderrum, similar ceremonies could be staged throughout Australia as gestures of goodwill, and to cement friendly relations. Such ceremonies could contribute to the process of reconciliation. Given the importance of naming for identity and association with place, and the heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander place names as recognised by the Committee for Geographic Names in Australia, a national symposium that focuses on indigenous names in Australia could be convened. The aim of the symposium could be to reach a number of recommendations, acceptable to all groups and individuals concerned with indigenous place names, and to provide a base for the improved recording and use of these names.