On 27 May 1967, 90.77% of Australian voters recorded the largest ever ‘Yes’ vote in a referendum to alter the Australian constitution. This referendum finally enabled Aboriginal people to be counted in the national census and to be subject to Commonwealth laws, rather than just state laws.

Many Aboriginal people considered that changing sections of the Federal Constitution was essential in gaining formal recognition of their existence as people of their own country. Only four referenda prior to 1967 had been passed. 

The Western Australian Museum will be celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum at the Perth, Geraldton, Albany, and Kalgoorlie-Boulder sites.