Reconciliation in Vic Park
National Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is an important week on the Town's calendar. It's an opportunity for us all to come together and learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements. In 2025, NRW ran from 27 May until 3 June with the theme 'Bridging Now to Next' — encouraging us to look ahead and build a more united and respectful nation, guided by past lessons.
We look forward to continuing with this theme until a new theme is announced in 2026. In the interim, if you would like to learn more about NRW, click here.
Some of the Town's key Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander projects from the past few years are listed below.
Healing Country at Hill View Bushland
In June 2025, the Town proudly supported a cultural burn at Hill View Bushland – an important step in caring for country, supporting the long-term health of our native bushland, and working towards reconciliation in our community.
The burn was carried out in partnership with local Aboriginal Elders, Traditional Custodians, the Department of Fire and Emergency Services WA, and Curtin University. It followed cultural protocols and practices that have been used for generations to protect and regenerate our land.
The burn was a huge success, helping to safely reduce built-up dead vegetation and encourage the regrowth of native species. Cultural burning is a gentle, low-intensity technique that supports biodiversity and strengthens our spiritual connection to country.
Highlights from the day included:
- A Welcome to Country by local Elder Emeritus Professor Simon Forrest
- Local Traditional Owners opened the burn with a cultural song and dance
- Small sections of dead vegetation were gathered and safely burned.
- Participation from members of the Town’s Mindeera Advisory Group, our Urban Ecosystems team, and a Curtin University research student.
Monitoring of the bushland's response is now underway, and we're already seeing the site respond positively with new growth! Pictured below are acacia seedlings, a dwarf sheoak flowering, and the site of the low-intensity burn.
Our heartfelt thanks goes out to DFES, Curtin University, the Mindeera Advisory Group, and our incredible local Aboriginal community for all coming together to help make this special project come to life. We’ll be sharing more updates throughout the year, including a full video recap of the burn process, so keep an eye out on our channels.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.