Kaya!

We're seeking your feedback on the draft City of Fremantle Walyalup Reconciliation Action Plan.

Kaya nidja Walyalap, wadjak boodja wer nyidiyang boodja. (Hello this is freo wadjak country and white fella country). Ngalak kaadatj ngalang wadjak moort wirin keniny, kawininy, kakarookiny wer warangkiny, (We acknowledge our wadjak families spirits celebrating, laughing, dancing and singing).

- translated by Nyoongar Linguist Sharon Gregory

The City of Fremantle acknowledges that we are meeting on the traditional country of the Whadjuk people. The land where Fremantle (Walyalup) sits has always been a place of ceremonies, significant cultural practices and trading.

Our vision for reconciliation

The City’s vision for reconciliation is to create an inclusive, caring community where Aboriginal people experience the same life outcomes as other Australians, and where their special place in our nation and our City is recognised. We want a community and an organisation in which Aboriginal people are acknowledged, listened to and understood; a community and organisation that respect and tell the truth about history, and where healing and growth is nurtured by all of us. Ultimately, we want this to be a shared vision for Fremantle, where the City embraces culture and heritage, and where Aboriginal people are part of making decisions and improvements for the wellbeing of people.

Our Walyalup Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a three year plan that is reported on annually. This is Council’s first RAP following the formative policy for respect, recognition and conciliation with Aboriginal people in 2000. Based on recommendation from Reconciliation Australia on the work the City of Fremantle has done thus far, Council decided to begin with a Stretch RAP.

This draft RAP was developed in consultation with the RAP Working Group, local Aboriginal community, elders and other stakeholders through a series of workshops and meetings facilitated by Kambarang Services. The diverse input from over 100 people has been summarised into a practical plan for Reconciliation, focused around Relationships, Respect, Opportunity and Governance. It contains 15 actions and 74 deliverables.

Our hope is that, in working together, speaking together, hearing each other and most of all committing to a better future together we will replace ignorance, mistrust, racism and hostility with genuine connection, trust and unity.

There are several ways to access the draft RAP or find out more:

• View the draft RAP online, by clicking here or visiting the document library on this page.

Hard copies and submission forms are also available at:

• The Walyalup Aboriginal Cultural Centre (WACC), Thursdays and Fridays from 10.00am to 3.00pm. Staff are also available at the WACC during these times to tell you more about the RAP and a paper submission form is available.
• The Wanjoo Lounge at Fremantle Library, staffed by volunteers Monday to Friday 9.00am to 3.00pm. A paper submission form is available.
• The Meeting Place, 245 South Terrace South Fremantle. The centre is open Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.00pm (office support 9.00am to 12 noon).

We encourage you to read the draft Walyalup RAP including the actions and tell us your thoughts below by 4.00pm Monday 27 May 2019.