Uluru Handback: 40 Years in Anangu hands

On 26 October 1985, a moment of national significance unfolded in the heart of Australia when the Australian Government formally returned the title deeds of Uluru and Kata Tjuta to Anangu, the Traditional Owners of that Country.
Above photo: Traditional owners Peter Bulla, Peter Kanari, Nipper Winmarti and his wife, Barbara Tjirkadu, with Sir Ninian Stephen and Clyde Holding (left) and Barry Cohen (right), 26 October 1985 National Library of Australia obj-147249245
40 years on, the anniversary of the Handback is being commemorated with a public celebration concert at Uluru.
The Handback was the result of decades of advocacy by Anangu leaders who fought tirelessly to have their land rights recognised. The ceremony, held at the base of Uluru, saw then-Governor-General Sir Ninian Stephen hand over the title deeds to Anangu elders.
The event marked a highly visible turning point in Australia’s relationship with First Nations peoples, publicly and practically acknowledging their enduring connection to Country and their right to manage and protect it.
Anangu traditional law and spirituality, behaviours, stories and knowledge, known as Tjukurpa, guides everything that happens throughout the National Park, including conserving plants, animals, culture and Country. Anangu continue their responsibility for protecting and managing the lands around Uluru and Kata Tjuta.
Since the Handback, Uluru–Kata Tjuta National Park has been jointly managed by Parks Australia and the Anangu Traditional Owners. This partnership has become a model for Indigenous land management, blending traditional knowledge with Western conservation practices. The park is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, celebrated for both its natural beauty and cultural significance.
In 2019 another significant ceremony was held, to permanently close the Uluru rock climb to visitors to protect this sacred and uniquely beautiful place. Many people still visit the National Park and admire and walk around the base of Uluru and see the stunning geological formations of Kata Tjuta.
The 40th anniversary celebrations, scheduled for 25 October 2025, will include community gatherings, cultural performances, storytelling, and reflections from Anangu leaders and younger generations.
Commemorative poster presented to Governor-General Sir Ninian Stephen on the occasion of the handing back of Uluru to its traditional owners in 1985
Traditional owners of Uluru gather around the base of the climb after it was permanently closed on 26 October 2019. Photo: Mike Bowers. The Guardian/Eyevine/Australscope