- 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.
- Powerful Western Australian speakers will provide local context on truth and allyship.
- 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 1000 people to the River View Room at Optus Stadium and broadcast live into regional WA and across the nation.
Reconciliation WA is pleased to announce that the flagship Reconciliation Breakfast returns with impact this year, marking the start of an inspiring, call-to-action week of NRW events and opportunities for everyone across the state. 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 Reconciliation Breakfast has been held virtually for the last two years, with reconciliation allies and organisations across the nation tuning in to an inspiring program via a live broadcast. This year, the in-person Breakfast event returns, with over 1000 people set to join together in solidarity at the River View Room at Optus Stadium for a dynamic and powerful program of speakers and presentations.
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.
Esteemed reconciliation champion, 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 Wadjemup.
The Breakfast will also shine a spotlight on allyship, and the important role each of us must play in the reconciliation journey. In a special ‘keynote in conversation’ segment, we will hear from The Hon Justice Robert French AC and Dr Betsy Buchanan OAM who have collectively championed reconciliation, justice and Aboriginal rites for decades, as they reflect on their journeys and rally for the work of allyship to continue.
Importantly, the Breakfast will look to the future and offer insight on ways to strengthen the reconciliation movement across the state, with presentations from Reconciliation WA Co-Chairs, Nolan Hunter and Debra Zanella. Nolan, the Aboriginal Co-Chair is a Bardi Jawi Yawuru man from the Kimberley, and Debra Zanella is the CEO at Ruah and newly appointed Non-Aboriginal Co-Chair.
A special performance from WA Opera and their recent acclaimed Perth Festival Show, Wundig wer Wilura, will be the finale to the morning. The Reconciliation Breakfast will be broadcast across the state for those unable to attend in person. It will also be broadcast live into our regional areas, where special Reconciliation Breakfast events will be held – including in Albany, Newman, Karratha and Kalgoorlie.
Reconciliation WA CEO, Jody Nunn, said that this year’s Reconciliation Breakfast event will focus on our future and hope for a better Western Australia.
“We are so pleased to be bringing our flagship Reconciliation Breakfast back to West Australia as an in-person event with more impact than ever before – launching the start of National Reconciliation Week across the state.
“At this turning point in the reconciliation movement in WA, we must come together from all corners of our state to demonstrate solidarity in numbers, defending and upholding the rights of First Nations peoples.” Reconciliation WA Co-Chairs Nolan Hunter and Debra Zanella said that the referendum proved there is still much work to be done to build unity and understanding across the reconciliation space.
“Through NRW and events such as the Reconciliation Breakfast, Reconciliation WA remains focused on building a better Western Australia for everyone.
“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.”
NRW events are made possible through the support of our major partners – 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. Ticket bookings and registrations for all NRW events are open via the Reconciliation WA website where more information can also be found on each event – 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 yokai.com.au for more information
Monday 27 May – Reconciliation Breakfasts
Locations – Boorloo (Perth), Albany, Karratha, Kalgoorlie, Newman – in-person and online ticket 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 tickets for further information).
Tuesday 28 May and Thursday 30 May – Reconciliation Yarns
Location – Kaarta Koomba (Kings Park) – in-person and online ticket 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 ticket 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), Bunbury, Port Hedland
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.
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Media Contact
Jodi Eastman – Marketing and Communications Manager
Phone: (08) 6552 6997
Email: jodi@recwa.org.au
