- National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2024 runs from 27 May to 3 June.
- 2024 NRW theme is Now More Than Ever – a reminder of the importance of reconciliation action, more than ever in post-referendum Australia.
- NRW program features a range of events and opportunities for everyone to get involved – in-person or online across metro and regional WA.
- NRW launches with the flagship Reconciliation Breakfast on Monday 27 May – welcoming over 1100 people to the River View Room at Optus Stadium and broadcast live into regional WA and across the nation – including regional events in Karratha, Newman, Albany, and Kalgoorlie.
- NRW culminates with the Walk for Reconciliation on Friday 31 May – with thousands of West Australians set to join in solidarity in three locations – Boorloo (Perth), Bunbury and Port Hedland.
With an extensive program of in-person and online reconciliation events being held across metro and regional WA, Reconciliation WA invites every West Australian, from every corner of our state, to join in on National Reconciliation Week.
National Reconciliation Week runs from 27 May to 3 June each year, with the dates commemorating the successful 1967 referendum (27 May) and the Mabo decision (3 June).
Post-referendum, reconciliation actions for change are more important than ever, as reflected in the 2024 NRW theme, Now More Than Ever – a reminder to all of us that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will – and must – continue.
The week launches with the flagship Reconciliation Breakfast on Monday 27 May, which this year returns as a dual in-person and livestreamed event. Over 1100 people will join together in solidarity at the River View Room at Optus Stadium in Boorloo (Perth) for a dynamic and powerful program of speakers and presentations.
For those unable to attend in person, the Breakfast in Boorloo will be broadcast across the state and into our regional areas, where special Reconciliation Breakfast events will be held in collaboration with local councils – including in Albany, Newman, Karratha and Kalgoorlie.
Led by MC’s Toby Millar, a proud Larrakia and Wadjigan man, alongside reconciliation ally Meri Fatin, the Breakfast will welcome our Premier, The Hon Roger Cook MLA, to reflect on the important and continuing work of reconciliation right around our state.
Noongar Elder, Dr Richard Walley OAM, will share the journey and progress of the Wadjemup (Rottnest Island) Project, which is delivering truth-telling, ceremony and commemoration programs to acknowledge and reconcile the Aboriginal prison history on the island.
The Breakfast will also shine a spotlight on allyship, and the important role each of us must play in the reconciliation journey with a special ‘keynote in conversation’ segment welcoming The Hon Robert French AC and Dr Betsy Buchanan OAM.
On Tuesday 28 and Thursday 30 May, twice-daily Reconciliation Yarns will take place at the Yorkas Nyinning Building in Kaarta Koomba (Kings Park), with online options available. These Yarns will create a safe space for reconciliation allies to yarn about this year’s NRW theme, Now More Than Ever.
Hackett Hall at WA Museum Boola Bardip will be home to our Reconciliation Memoirs event featuring reconciliation champion, Carol Innes AM on Wednesday 29 May from 5.30pm, with online options also available. This follows on from the huge success of similar events in previous years where we have shared the Memoirs of other reconciliation champions, Fred Chaney AO and Dr Richard Walley OAM.
The Walk for Reconciliation on Friday 31 May will mark an historic moment in reconciliation history in our state. All West Australians are invited and welcome to join respectfully and in solidarity with friends, family and colleagues to show their public commitment to reconciliation from 12pm to 2pm at Langley Park in Boorloo (Perth), Koombana Bay Foreshore in Bunbury and Cemetery Beach Park in Port Hedland.
Reconciliation WA CEO, Jody Nunn, said that this year’s National Reconciliation Week events will focus on our future and hope for a better Western Australia.
“We’ve opened up the NRW program of events this year to reach every corner of our state,
“Every boardroom, loungeroom, community hall and kitchen table, right across every region throughout WA, has equal access to join together at our Breakfasts, Yarns, Memoirs and Walks to help progress the powerful reconciliation movement.”
Reconciliation WA Co-Chairs Nolan Hunter and Debra Zanella said that the 2024 NRW theme is an incredibly strong call to action that we must all take notice of.
“This year’s NRW theme, Now More Than Ever, is a reminder to all of us that as reconciliation supporters, we must stand up and play an important role in amplifying the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples,
“It’s not someone else’s job; we all have a part to play in shaping a reconciled future and being a positive force for change – through the language we use, how we treat each other, how we work together and how we respect and support each other,
“There’s no better time for each of us to play our part than during National Reconciliation Week, and to think about how we continue to stay focused on this important work throughout the year.”
NRW events are made possible through the support of our major partners – Reconciliation Australia, Department of Premier and Cabinet, BHP, Woodside, Wesfarmers, Lotterywest, South32 and WALGA, as well as collaboration with regional councils and communities.
All NRW event locations and times are listed below. More information, ticket bookings and registrations for all NRW events can be found via the Reconciliation WA website (please note: some in-person events have sold out) – www.recwa.org.au/events/nrw-2024
Sunday 26 May – Sorry Day Event
Location – Stolen Generations Memorial at Moort-ak Waadiny (Wellington Square) in Boorloo (Perth)
Timing – from 11.00am
Visit healingfoundation.org.au for more information.
Monday 27 May – Reconciliation Breakfasts
Locations – Boorloo (Perth), Albany, Karratha, Kalgoorlie, Newman – in-person and online options available via recwa.org.au/events/nrw-2024 or location links above
Timing – 7.30am-10.30am (times may vary between locations – please see individual event information).
Tuesday 28 May and Thursday 30 May – Reconciliation Yarns
Location – Kaarta Koomba (Kings Park) – in-person and online options available via recwa.org.au/events/nrw-2024
Timing – 9:30am to 11.00am (in-person) or 2:30pm-4.00pm (online)
Wednesday 29 May – Reconciliation Memoirs with Carol Innes AM
Location – Hackett Hall, WA Museum Boola Bardip – in-person and online options available via recwa.org.au/events/nrw-2024
Timing – From 5.30pm to 8:00pm (online times may vary)
Friday 31 May – Walks for Reconciliation
Locations – Boorloo (Perth) – Langley Park, Bunbury – Koombana Bay Foreshore, Port Hedland – Cemetery Beach Park
Timing – 12.00pm to 2:00pm (Note: At Boorloo Perth Walk, an Education Zone nearby will commence at 10am) –registrations encouraged via recwa.org.au/events/nrw-2024
Various other community events are happening throughout NRW. Please visit recwa.org.au/events/nrw-2024 for more.
