Reconciliation WA

Twenty-six years ago, Cathy Freeman delivered a moment that brought Australians together.

Her historic gold medal win at the Sydney Olympics was more than a sporting achievement. It was a powerful moment of pride, representation and reconciliation that continues to inspire people across the country today.

Her victory sparked conversations about Australia's shared history and future, and highlighted the importance of recognising and celebrating First Nations peoples and cultures.

Cathy’s achievement remains a defining moment in the reconciliation journey, inspiring generations of Australians to reflect on what it means to walk together with greater understanding, respect and unity.

We celebrate Cathy Freeman's enduring legacy and the impact her achievement has had on generations of Australians.

To learn more about the work Cathy continues to champion through the Murrup Foundation, visit https://www.murrup.org.au/ and discover how the organisation is empowering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people through education, leadership and sport.

🏉 Safe travels and good luck to the WA team as they head to Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Country for the Grand Final.⚓️

We wish the team every success on the big stage and hope they enjoy the opportunity to connect, compete and represent WA with pride.

Travel safely, play your hearts out, and know that we're cheering you on from home. 💜

📷 credit: Fremantle Dockers

We were proud to bring together Bilya and Bidi members from across sectors for our latest Innovate RAP Ring at the WA Museum.

Beginning with personal reflections around the Museum's Dance Circle, participants shared their motivations, experiences and insights in a space built on honesty, respect and learning.

The conversations also sparked meaningful connections and knowledge sharing, with participants walking away with fresh insights, practical ideas and new relationships to support their reconciliation journeys.

Read more: https://www.recwa.org.au/innovate-rap-ring-with-wa-museum/
Photos supplied by WA Museum Boola Bardip

Become a Reconciliation WA Bidi, Bilya or Kadadjiny member to attend future RAP Rings and member-exclusive events:
https://www.recwa.org.au/members-and-partners/

How we talk about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and Australia's history matters. Public commentary can either contribute to understanding, reconciliation and a unified nation, or reinforce the attitudes and misconceptions that have caused harm for generations.

We acknowledge the statement released by the West Australian Stolen Generations Aboriginal Corporation (WASGAC) Yokai Healing our Spirit , which calls for greater acknowledgment of the racist policies of previous administrations that led to the forced removal of Aboriginal children from their families, communities, and culture.

The impacts of the Stolen Generations are not confined to the past. They continue to be felt by survivors, their descendants, and communities across generations.
At Reconciliation WA, we believe truth-telling, timing, listening, and talking is an essential part of reconciliation. Meaningful progress requires an honest understanding of our shared history, including the policies and practices that caused profound harm to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Moments like these remind us why anti-racism education, truth-telling and cultural sharing and learning remain as important as ever.

While governments have taken important steps to acknowledge the harms of the past, including the National Apology to Australia's Stolen Generations in 2008 and the establishment of the National Redress Scheme, these actions do not diminish the ongoing impacts felt by survivors, families and communities today. Reconciliation remains an active and collective responsibility that calls on all Australians to engage with truth-telling, understanding and meaningful action.

We can all play a role in reconciliation by:
• Learning about the Stolen Generations through the Bringing Them Home report and survivor stories: https://yokai.com.au/bringing-them-home-report/
• Exploring key milestones such as the 2008 National Apology and the National Redress Scheme.
• Engaging with truth-telling initiatives and historical acknowledgements.
• Building anti-racism knowledge and allyship through Reconciliation WA's Learning Hub and other educational resources: https://www.recwa.org.au/hub/search-reconciliation-resources/?keyword=anti+racism+
• Listening to and learning from Aboriginal voices and lived experiences.

Reconciliation requires understanding, acknowledgement and action from every West Australian.

Are cultural understanding and cultural responsiveness important to you as an educator? Do you want to learn more about reconciliation in education? We invite you to step into an inspiring journey with two remarkable schools in Albany.

Great Southern Grammar and Kwoorabup Nature School are leading the way in cultural understanding and connection to Country on Menang Boodjar.

👣At Great Southern Grammar, students and staff walk side by side with Menang Noongar Elders, learning directly on Country at places of deep cultural significance while actively honouring the land’s stories and embedding reconciliation into everyday school life.

🌱At Kwoorabup Nature School, Noongar language, knowledge and cultural perspectives shape the rhythm of learning through weekly on-Country days, seasonal cycles and Elder guided programs that connect children to Boodja in meaningful and joyful ways. Kwoorabup was also a national finalist in the Narragunnawali Awards for Schools with Reconciliation Action Plans in 2023.

Registrations are essential.

📆Wednesday 4 Nov
🕓4pm - 5:30pm
📍Great Southern Grammar, Kalgan WA

Join us in person:
https://www.recwa.org.au/event/2026-mineng-education-regional-ring-in-albany-in-person/

View online:
https://www.recwa.org.au/event/2026-mineng-education-regional-ring-in-albany-online/

Come yarn with us Geraldton!

Next week we arrive in the mid-west, with our 2029 Bicentenary consultation team.

First stop is the Geraldton Museum on Tuesday, followed by two days at Yamatji-on-Country on Wednesday and Thursday.

Drop-in, say g’day, and we look forward to hearing your views on the future of WA!

"Place-based Reconciliation Action Plan is the fire we built through coming together, with Noongar voices leading the way." 🔥"As Fire Keepers, we hold the responsibility of tending this work with care."

The Great Southern Place-based Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a national first, co-created in partnership with the local community to support genuine self-determination and meaningful reconciliation outcomes. Last week, the Fire Keepers Committee, the group responsible for leading and guiding the RAP, met at the Gnowangerup Aboriginal Corporation for their second monthly meeting.

Developed in partnership with Reconciliation Australia through Reconciliation WA’s Rising Program, the Great Southern RAP represents a unique, community-led approach to reconciliation across the region. The Rising Program employs a connect, co-design, co-decide, and co-deliver approach to place-based engagement - and can be adapted and expanded to support reconciliation efforts across Western Australia and beyond.

Learn more about the Rising Program here:
https://www.recwa.org.au/respect-rising/


Shire of Gnowangerup
Reconciliation Australia

Book now for Term 4!📙
Support your students on their reconciliation learning journey with our Reconciliation in Education Programs for Years 4 - 6.

These place-based programs are aligned with the HASS curriculum, facilitated by both First Nations and non-Indigenous educators, and aim to:
💡Inspire students to think more deeply about connecting with Culture
✏Learn about Australia’s true history
🤝Provide foundational reconciliation education

Find out more and book a workshop for your class here:
https://www.recwa.org.au/year-4-6-reconciliation-in-education-programs/

We're pleased to announce Sharni Foulkes' appointment as CEO of Reconciliation WA.

Under Sharni's leadership, Reconciliation WA looks forward to building on its strong foundations and pursuing new opportunities to engage with the wider Western Australian community.

Her appointment comes at an important time for the organisation as we continue to strengthen relationships across regional and metropolitan WA, nurture meaningful partnerships, and create opportunities for people and communities to contribute to reconciliation.

Together, we look forward to growing the movement for reconciliation across Western Australia.

Read more: https://www.recwa.org.au/meet-rwas-new-ceo-sharni-foulkes/

Meet RWA's New CEO: Sharni Foulkes - Reconciliation WA Reconciliation WA is pleased to welcome Sharni Foulkes as our new Chief Executive Officer.