Great Southern Place-based Reconciliation Action Plan
In a landmark reconciliation moment for the State and Nation, the National Reconciliation Week 2026 Kinjarling (Albany) Breakfast hosted the launch of the first place-based Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in Australia. This national first has been (RAP) has been co-created in partnership with the local community to support genuine self-determination and meaningful reconciliation outcomes. RAPs are typically organisation centric, whereas this regional plan offers a model for connection, community identified priorities and collective action, in the Great Southern. It demonstrates what is possible when Aboriginal voices lead the reconciliation agenda with strong support from the broader regional community and leadership ensuring reconciliation is embedded across diverse communities.
The Great Southern Place-based Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) has been developed in partnership with Reconciliation Australia through Reconciliation WA’s Rising Program. The Rising Program employs a connect, co-design, co-decide, and co-deliver approach to place-based engagement and consists of three horizons.
The first horizon, Respect Rising, prioritises deep listening and learning to create a shared understanding of the local reconciliation landscape, including ways of working, priorities, and progress markers.
The second horizon, Relationships Rising, involves establishing a Reconciliation Action Network (RAN), aligning a shared commitment statement, and co-designing governance structures. The Great Southern RAN comprises community leadership, Aboriginal organisations, local governments and reconciliation allies who have helped guide and shape this RAP and now lead its continued development and delivery.
The third and final horizon is Opportunities Rising, when actions and deliverables are integrated into the bespoke Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) framework, allowing community members to participate actively in the reconciliation process. Great Southern RAN organisations have made commitments to one or more of the RAP deliverables across Truth-telling, Healing and Justice actions – priorities determined by the region.
The Great Southern RAP demonstrates how the Rising Program model can be adapted and expanded to support reconciliation efforts across Western Australia and beyond. This work continues to be supported by Reconciliation Australia and Reconciliation WA, ensuring alignment to broader reconciliation efforts while remaining grounded in community-led action, ensuring that decision-making is done by, and with local people—on their own terms—reinforcing local voices, self-determination and community participation.
The culmination of Australia’s first place-based RAP is a proof of concept for Reconciliation WA’s Rising Program. The unfolding of this program across regional Western Australia promises to be an exciting journey towards reconciliation, and we look forward to seeing its impact in the Great Southern and beyond.
