Australian Hall in central Sydney

On the 26th of January 1938 a conference was held at the Australian Hall at 150–152 Elizabeth Street, Sydney. It was only for Aboriginal people, although two white policemen and two journalists were allowed inside the building.

Contrary to what was going on outside in Sydney and throughout the country as part of the sesquicentenary of the landing of Captain Arthur Phillip, the assembly declared 26 January to be a Day of Mourning. They mourned the loss of their country, their freedom and self-determination, and the deaths of so many of their kin.