Pictured L-R: Deanne Fitzgerald, Mechelle Turvey, Chook Look, Narissa Cullen, Elizabeth Kelly, Erin Leahy and Alistair Jones.
For this year’s National Reconciliation Week our staff took part in various activities to learn more about shared histories, cultures, and achievements of First Nations People.
Staff were also encouraged to explore how everyone can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
Staff in our Joondalup office celebrated the start of National Reconciliation Week with a smoking ceremony, bush foods breakfast and watched Reconciliation WA's live national broadcast. Our staff in regional offices also held similar events across WA.
On Tuesday, we welcomed advocate for victims of crime and 2024 WA Australian of the Year, Mechelle Turvey as our keynote speaker.
Mechelle shared her experience of finding the strength to campaign for positive change for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples following the tragic death of her son Cassius. She urged all Australians to push for reconciliation all year, not just for a week.
Our ‘Wear it Yellow’ fundraiser to help Children’s Ground support a bright future for First Nations children and families during the week was a great success. Staff wore yellow to recognise the strength and resilience of First Nations culture and exceeded the initial expectation of $1,000 by raising nearly $2,500.
Wrapping up our National Reconciliation Week celebrations on Friday, some of our staff joined a huge crowd on the Boorloo Walk for Reconciliation at Langley Park. The sun was shining while we walked alongside the bilya (river) through the park, ending at the Supreme Court Gardens for music and dancing.
It was heartening to see our community united and taking steps towards a brighter, more inclusive future. Let's keep the momentum going and continue to walk this path together.
You can view highlights from the Walk for Reconciliation below.
