The Sambell Oration

The Sambell Oration is BSL’s keynote event, first delivered in 1981. Named after former BSL executive director, Geoffrey Sambell, the event reflects his concern for social justice.

The event is attended by community, business and government leaders as an opportunity to engage in discussion on the important social justice issues affecting Australia.

This year, the Sambell Oration focused on how a Voice to Parliament can create lasting change for Australia and positively impact the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Our orators this year were Aunty Pat Anderson AO and Professor Megan Davis, both of whom were instrumental in the creation of the Uluru Statement from the Heart in 2017, which calls for a First Nations Voice to be enshrined in the Australian Constitution. Aunty Pat Anderson and Professor Megan Davis are now members of the working group set up to advise government on the path to a referendum on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

BSL supports the Uluru Statement from the Heart and stands with all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people calling for a First Nations Voice to be enshrined in the Australian Constitution. We also support the establishment of a Makarrata Commission to enable a fair and truthful relationship between all Australians.

A recording of the 2022 Sambell Oration will be made available in the coming weeks.