Reconciliation in Vic Park
Some of the Town's key Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander projects from the past few years are listed below.
Uluru Statement of the Heart (Endorsed)
In 2023 the Town of Victoria Park endorsed the Uluru Statement of the Heart and the associated Voice to Parliament. This was an important milestone on the Town’s reconciliation journey and the result of the referendum does not change the Town's commitment to reconciliation.
Wishing well
The Town launched its Community Engagement period for the new Innovate RAP in May 2022. To raise awareness and invite informal and fun community participation, the Town worked with the Vic Park’s Men Shed and Noongar Artist Julianna Wade to create a Community Wishing Well. This beautiful Well travelled around the Town during a six-week period, visiting Schools, cafes, walkways and the library, and in the process gathered the Community’s wishes for reconciliation.
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Ranger vehicle designs
In 2022 the Town worked with Noongar Yamatji Artist Darryl Bellotti to wrap Ranger vehicles in artwork that depicts the journey of Aboriginal people through the Victoria Park area and the iconic flora and fauna that has always accompanied their journey. This artwork has now also been incorporated into the uniforms for the Parking and Rangers staff.
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Traffic control boxes
In partnership with Main Roads WA and Whadjuk/Ballardong Noongar artist Jade Dolman, a series of traffic control boxes were painted across the Town. Dolman painted the boxes to highlight the land where her ancestors have practiced their culture on for thousands of years. The artworks represent the significance of this area to her family and to Beelu Noongars as a crossing and place on the Waugyl’s journey.
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Noongar Flash Mob
In 2022, to celebrate National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC week, the Town worked with Boss Arts Creative’s choreographers and dancers, to coordinate and run two flashmob events in the Town. Community members were taught by Noongar Bangarra dancer Michael Smith and the dance sequence was choreographed to the Song of the Kwoolark (Bull-shark), written by Noongar ethnomusicologist Dr Clinton Bracknell. Dancers surprised and delighted patrons at the Vic Park Markets and the Vic Park RSL with their performances.
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Noongar Choir
During National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC week in 2022, the Town worked with Choirmaster and singer Della Rae Morrisson to form a community choir to sing Noongar songs in language. This culminated with a Community Choir performance at the Vic Park RSL hall. This was an incredibly enriching experience for all participants who learned about Noongar culture, language and story telling.
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Installation Artwork Bidi Walk
This artwork by Noongar artist Darryl Bellotti was installed for National Reconciliation Week at Bidi Walk in East Victoria Park in 2022. The community were invited to attend the launch of the artwork and share a cultural offering of food and music.
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Jirdarup Yarning Circle
In 2021 and 2022 the Town worked with the Mindeera Advisory group, Noongar elders and consultants Emerge, to co-design a reforestation and yarning circle space in the Jirdarup Bushland. This is an important space of gathering and learning about Whadjuk Noongar Boodja.
Walk on Country
Residents of the Town learned about the significance of caring for country from Noongar Elder Simon Forrest and language teacher Dylan Collard during a NAIDOC week Walk on Country.