With light streaming into Hyde Park on a sunny Monday, Mervyn Bishop watched his son Tim lead the dance at this year's NAIDOC in the City opening ceremony in Hyde Park.
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Forty years ago, Mervyn had captured the birth of the Aboriginal land rights movement, photographing Gough Whitlam pouring soil into the hand of Gurindji man Vincent Lingiari.
"It was iconic. A place in history," he said of the photograph.
Now things had come full circle for the Bishop family. Mervyn said much had changed since he attended similar NAIDOC celebrations in the 1960s.
"In those days the Aborigines Welfare Board was still governing the lives of Aboriginal people in NSW. It wasn't until 1967 that there was the referendum for Aboriginal people to get the vote. Prior to that Aboriginal people couldn't vote," he said.
Though there had been significant changes since then, he said there was always more to be done, and that "Aboriginal stuff seems to get shoved aside".
Tim Bishop said NAIDOC Week was an important way for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to highlight and share their culture.
"I've got a young daughter who's 15 months old. When she grows up I want her to be proud to celebrate her Aboriginal heritage and culture, because it's accepted by all Australians. That's what I'm hoping for," he said.
The dancing included contemporary and traditional Aboriginal dances, as well as opportunities for audience members to step in and learn one of the dances.
Underground earth oven cooking demonstrations, weaving classes, musical performances and native animal petting were also on offer.
"The more culture that's shared with everyone, there's greater learning, greater respect, which means a happier place for everyone," Tim said.
July's Fairfax-Ipsos poll showed 85 per cent of Australians support amendment of the constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the first inhabitants of Australia, up 8 per cent from 2013.
Tim Bishop welcomed constitutional change but said what recognition would mean needed to be more clear.
"Recognition in the constitution is important, however, by the same token, recognition in which particular way? What does that actually mean?" he said.
Mervyn said the clear public support was good, but more information about the changes was necessary.
"I don't think it's been publicised, sorted out enough. It's got to be universal and explained. I don't seem to see too much about it," he said.
