27 May, 2026
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) gives us all the opportunities to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and learn together and explore how each of us contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
Particularly, we are reminded that reconciliation begins with listening; to people, to place and to Country.
As part of Fresh Hope Communities’ Reflect: Reconciliation Action Plan, our work over the past year has focused on learning and listening. We have been taking time to understand what respectful engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples looks like, recognising that trust and right relationship grow slowly and need care and commitment.
Learning through developments
One important part of this learning has been Connecting with Country, a government framework providing guidelines to care for Country when designing built environments. Every site we work and live on carries history, story and deep connection to Country that long predates us. Connecting with Country helps guide how developments can acknowledge and respect those connections by listening to Aboriginal knowledge holders, understanding cultural values of place, and ensuring those perspectives are considered from the very beginning, not as an afterthought.
At Pendle Hill, as part of our development process, this meant engaging Artefact, an Aboriginal‑led consultancy, early in the planning process to help us learn about the local context and what matters about that place. Guided by Artefact, Fresh Hope Communities staff were led by the Traditional Custodians for the Walk on Country and workshop on the 30th of March. The purpose of the walk was to inform the Connecting with Country Cultural and Heritage report supporting our Development Application. A key takeaway for us was listening to Traditional Custodians talk about the way land shapes community. This work was not just about meeting planning requirements; it was about doing the right thing, learning from Aboriginal‑led expertise and approaching development with humility and respect.
Learning through partnerships
We have also begun mapping potential Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and external partners whose knowledge, cultural authority and place-based connections may help inform our approach across different parts of the organisation. This has included exploring the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG) network and considering where local AECG relationships may be relevant, as well as learning from Aboriginal-led organisations such as Mirri Mirri, whose training reinforced that cultural safety is ongoing, relational and grounded in local context.
These early steps are helping us shape a clearer understanding of best-practice partnership principles under the RAP, including engaging early, respecting self-determination, valuing local knowledge, ensuring reciprocity and remuneration, and seeking relationships that are sustained and meaningful rather than symbolic. Together, this work is helping lay the foundation for a more informed, culturally respectful and partnership-based approach to reconciliation.
Reconciliation Week is an opportunity to pause and acknowledge that this journey is ongoing — and that meaningful reconciliation is built through steady learning, care for Country, and commitment to walking forward together.
How can we engage individually?
We all have this opportunity to learn and listen. There are several community events happening across NSW that are open for all to attend. From ceremonies and performances, to workshops, panel discussions and online webinars and events, there is something for everyone.
You can find out about events and activities happening in your local area by viewing Reconciliation Australia’s Calendar of Events.