Reconciliation in the West, an annual event, brings the community together to promote Reconciliation.
Image: Close up of two Life Without Barriers staff members at the 2023 Reconciliation in the West event.
Reconciliation in the West (RITW), an annual event held during National Reconciliation Week, brings together Aboriginal and Non-Aboriginal people to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Culture and Identity to support Reconciliation in South Australia.
Thousands of western suburbs school children and community members will come together Thursday 30 May, for the annual flagship Reconciliation Week event at Tauondi Aboriginal College in Port Adelaide.
Last year this popular community event attracted record crowds with the site taken over by an array of entertainment and activities including a colour run, giant inflatable zoo, weaving, dancing, cultural workshops, and nearly 100 stalls.
Image: Graphic tile with an orange circle surrounded by colourful dots. Text: Reconciliation in the West. Now more than ever.
Tauondi Aboriginal College spokesperson Brenz Saunders said Rec in the West was a much-loved event that brings people from all corners of the community together to mark Reconciliation Week.
“This event is so well loved. It’s such a wonderful celebration and a true reflection of how people from all walks of life, across all generations, remain dedicated to reconciliation,” Mr Saunders said.
“Rec in the West shows how we can all stand together to continue the Reconciliation journey, today and forever, supporting the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.”
Simone Mather, Executive Director, Children, Youth, and Families at Life Without Barriers said that standing strong as an ally to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community is critical.
“I join the other 6.2 million Australians who voted YES in doubling down on my commitments to Reconciliation in both my personal and professional life.”
"Now, more than ever, it's imperative that our actions align with our words as we journey towards a future of unity.” Simone said.
“Reconciliation is the responsibility of all, including Life Without Barriers in our work to transition the delivery of OOHC services for First Nations children to community and kin. Together, we must take decisive steps alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples towards Reconciliation."
"In recognising the deeply rooted historical injustices, systemic inequalities, and ongoing marginalisation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, it's imperative to stand as staunch allies. Alongside the millions of Australians in support of change, I reaffirm my dedication to Reconciliation, both personally and professionally.”
Image: Two staff members at the Life Without Barriers stall at the 2023 Reconciliation in the West event.
The Rec in the West event is a long-standing collaboration between Tauondi Aboriginal College, Life Without Barriers, AnglicareSA and UnitingSA – with all organisations playing integral roles in planning and hosting the event.
Image: A large group of adults and children outdoors dancing in costume at a Rec in the West event.
Rec in the West 2024 is jam-packed with fun activities!
You can spend your day immersing yourself in interactive activities designed for all ages and learn more about Reconciliation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture:
Living Arts Activity Zone: Life Without Barriers Living Arts team are offering a range of activities to encourage young people to learn language and share stories. This year they’ll be sharing language recordings in Kaurna and Ngarrindjeri language in their interactive listening post. Attendees are also encouraged to add their messages or artwork to our collaborative canvas focused on the theme “Now More Than Ever” as well as individual creative activities, such as the animal paper puppets that they can take home too.
More Collaborative Artworks: Visit the Life Without Barriers Disability and Mental Health team to participate in a beautiful community art project inspired by Rainbow Serpent Dreaming and the AnglicareSA Child, Youth and Families team who are working with talented artist Sam Gollan on another beautiful community art project.
Nylon Zoo: The amazing larger than life inflatables return to Rec in the West including storytelling sessions throughout the day in the giant inflatable turtle
Colour Run: Throughout the whole day the community is invited to run through rainbows of colour on the Tauondi Oval, thanks to the team from the AnglicareSA Playford Communities for Children team. (Please note: a signed consent form is required for children and young people to participate)
Thread Together Van: Driving social and environmental change. Provides people in need with brand new clothing that would otherwise end up in landfill.
Bugs and Slugs: Learn more about the secret lives of bugs and slugs as you get up close and personal with the critters that do all of nature’s dirty work. There will be bugs from the rainforest, bugs from the desert, the beach, and your own backyard.
The event includes live performances from talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians including Bel Mac and Pearl Tizzie, Nathan May, The Kalaya Childrens Centre Choir, Cat Carter and Bec Gollan, Tony Minniecon and Ellie Lovegrove.
Between 12pm - 1pm you can also hear encore musical performances by Nathan, Cat, and Bec, by the BBQ Zone where you can collect a free BBQ lunch cooked by a dedicated team of volunteers from Life Without Barriers.
You can also peruse the stalls showcasing a range of education, employment, community, and health promotion services or wander through to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander makers promoting and selling their unique offerings.
Image: A collage of artists performing at Rec in the West 2024: Pearl Tizzie, Nathan May, Bel Mac, Cat Carter, Bec Gollan, Tony Minniecon and Ellie Lovegrove.
Everyone is welcome!
All Australians have a role to play in the ongoing journey of Reconciliation.
RITW is open to attendees of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. This includes children and young people, adults, older people, local service providers, businesses and Government agencies. School groups and kindergartens are welcome to attend and/or participate in the event.
Event details:
Thursday, 30 May
10:30am - 2:00pm
Tauondi Aboriginal College, Port Adelaide
For more information about this event, visit the Reconciliation in the West Facebook page
