“BRIDGING Now to Next” is this year’s theme of National Reconciliation Week, and Fremantle will be kicking off Reconciliation WA’s biggest event next Tuesday. 

Around one thousand people will be gathering at the Fremantle Passenger Terminal for Reconciliation WA’s “main event”, which will be held in Walyalup for the first time “in recent years”. 

• Former Labor senator Patrick Dodson, pictured here with Freo MP Josh Wilson, will give one of the key Reconciliation Week addresses in Fremantle on Tuesday. Photo by Steve Grant

Hosted by Reconciliation WA and Fremantle Ports, Yawuru elder Patrick Dodson and next generation Wyndham leader Tremane Baxter-Edwards will be featured as part of a keynote discussion. 

City of Fremantle’s Reconciliation Action Plan chair Brendan Moore says the City is “honoured” to be hosting this year’s National Reconciliation Week event, saying the theme “echoes” the work of the RAP group.  

“As our Elders remind us, we are ‘standing on the shoulders of giants’…so much work has been done by many people before use for which are truly grateful,” Mr Moore said. 

“The Elders in our Walyalup RAP working group are keen for us to focus on supporting the next generation of young indigenous leaders, because very soon, it will be their turn to step up and continue the work for a fairer future.” 

The event will be broadcast live on NITV and will be available on SBS On Demand.

by KATHERINE KRAAYVANGER