Reconciliation grants awarded

ARCANE (Autistic-led Regional Culture Arts Neurodiversity Education and Employment)

Wayapa Wuurrk Reconciliation Workshop | $1,000
Wayapa Wuurrk is a creative movement practice that integrates the 14 elements in order to neurologically assist children’s holistic development in becoming responsible and empathetic caretakers of the planet. These movements and their Elements have been co-designed with First Nations peoples in order to introduce young children to ancient Indigenous wisdom, knowledge and practices, for them to incorporate into their own lives.
27 May to 6 June 2025

Eltham East Primary School

Using Books to Educate Children on Reconciliation | $1,000
Expansion of their collection of First Nations Australian books, particularly those around reconciliation. The works will be used as general library books for students to read and engage with, as well as classroom tools to encourage learning and conversation.
June to December 2025

Eltham Wildcats Basketball Club

First Nations Round | $1,000
Hosting of a First Nations round of NBL1 and Big V teams in honour of Australian First Nations Peoples. With the goal of continuing to promote understanding between our First Nations members and other Australians while teaching our members about the rich history, the funding will fund a First Nation performance and designed t-shirts.
Saturday 5 July 2025 Montmorency Basketball Stadium, 27 Simms Road Montmorency
Sunday 6 July 2025 Eltham Basketball Stadium, 30-60 Withers Way Eltham

Hurstbridge Children's Centre (Early Childhood Management Services)

Reconciliation Sanctuary | $1,000
Installation of a special area for reflection, wanderings, and teachings of First Nations history and viewpoints will be established within the Hurstbridge Children's Hub's outdoor play area. A space where children can use their senses in place-based learning, complete with a large yarning circle for oral storytelling and bush tucker plantings.
May to June 2025

Koori Kids

NAIDOC Week School Initiatives | $500
A program during NAIDOC Week that will involve art and poetry writing for primary school students, and design and essay writing for secondary students, with the goal of promoting Indigenous heritage, reconciliation and community engagement.
7 to 14 July 2025

Learning Cooperative

Reconciliation Action Plan Launch | $1,000
In celebration of the launch of their first Reconciliation Action Plan, each learning area will be named in Woi-wurrung language, and signs will be erected at the entrance to each room. Additionally, a sizeable Wominjeka welcome sign will be created at the school's entrance after consulting Wurundjeri Corporation and students.
May to July 2025

Nillumbik Reconciliation Group

Bush Tucker Workshop, Walk and Cooking Session with Aunty Jo Russell | $1,000
Joining Aunty Jo Russell to learn about local bush tucker foods and medicines of the traditional Wurundjeri people custodians. After identifying bush tucker plants on a tour around our neighbourhood, Aunty Jo will cook with us using her favourite bush food herbs.
TBC. Sunday 4 October 2025 Allwood Neighbourhood House

Allwood Neighbourhood House

Allwood Wattle Festival Welcome to Country & Smoking Ceremony | $1,000

Starting with a focus on cultural understanding, reconciliation, and environmental stewardship, a Welcome to Country and traditional Smoking Ceremony performed by a Wurundjeri Elder is planned for the 2024 Wattle Festival opening at Allwood Neighbourhood House.

Eltham North Primary School

100 Years Celebration | $1,000

In 2024 Eltham North Primary School (ENPS) celebrates its 100 year anniversary. A whole school assembly celebrated the 100 year anniversary of ENPS on 23 May 2024. A Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Elder was invited to conduct a Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony and an accompanying didgeridoo player opened proceedings to acknowledge the rich history, cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as one of the oldest continuing cultures on the planet. This was also a key event to launch the school’s recognition of National Sorry Day on 26 May and Reconciliation Week 27 May to 3 June 2024.

Eltham South Pre School

Kinder Voices: Yarning Towards Reconciliation | $736

In recognition of Reconciliation Week (commencing 27 May) and NAIDOC week (concluding 14 July), teachers and students featured one book each week written by a First Nations author, sharing culture and traditional knowledge. The project created a yarning circle with mats, books and costumes for immersive Indigenous storytelling. It introduced early learners to Indigenous culture, customs and importance in society through storytelling, enhancing cultural awareness and supporting Nillumbik Shire Council’s reconciliation commitment to promoting an inclusive, respectful community.

Eltham Wildcats Basketball Club

First Nations Round | $1,000

In recognition of NAIDOC, Week Eltham Wildcats First Nations Round took place at the Montmorency Basketball Stadium on Thursday 4 July. The round acknowledged and celebrated Australian First Nations Peoples and paid respect to their rich histories and cultures, and aimed to educate club members about the rich history and continued to develop a shared understanding between First Nations members and other Australians.

Ferguson Park Preschool

4-Year-old Kinder Wattle Building - Wurundjeri Elders Invitation | $1,000

Invited Wurundjeri Elders and local Aboriginal community leaders and educators to engage in interactive education sessions with four year old pre-schoolers during Reconciliation Week. This initiative was designed to foster a deep connection and raise awareness among young minds. By involving children, they are actively shaping the future of the Nillumbik community.

healthAbility

NAIDOC Week Yarning Circle | $1,000

healthAbility hosted a NAIDOC week yarning circle with local Wurundjeri, Boon Wurrung and Yorta Yorta Elder Uncle Shane Charles. The event will provide an opportunity for the Nillumbik community, as well as healthAbility staff and volunteers to come together and develop a deeper understanding of First Nations culture and their connection to country. Uncle Shane hosted the circle, which focused on connection, truth telling, learning and celebrating First Nations culture in the Nillumbik area.

Nillumbik Reconciliation Group (NRG)

NAIDOC Celebration with Aboriginal Women Artists | $1,000

In partnership with the Aboriginal Advancement League, NRG delivered a workshop in decorative board painting by Aboriginal artists, followed by a possum skin bracelet making session with the Nillumbik community in Eltham. It was a community lunch and gathering to bring together the community.

Occasional Child Care Centre, Diamond Creek

Reconciliation on Country | $1,000

Educating children and their families about Aboriginal history and culture on Wurundjeri Country. The children learned about Country while they participated in Bush Kinder to scaffold their learning and understandings in meaningful ways. The activity took place during the Bush Kinder program around the Diamond Creek Trail, along the Diamond Creek. All activities can later be embedded meaningfully into the bush kinder program.

Research Junior Football Club

NAIDOC event | $1,000

In recognition of NAIDOC week, the Research Junior Football Club arranged a Welcome to Country to be delivered by a Wurundjeri Elder, and unveiled the club's new Indigenous design footy jersey.

Yarra Plenty Regional Library

Dreamtime Rhythms | $825

Celebrating the vibrancy of Aboriginal culture with traditional dance, Didgeridoo melodies, storytelling and artefacts in the spirit of NAIDOC Week. Delivered by the Djarrin Nikki Visaj Movement, the event offers families an opportunity to learn, connect and build inclusive communities through the celebration of the rich history and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Program included a Welcome to Country or Acknowledgement of Country by the presenter, Storytelling sessions featuring Indigenous storytellers and artefacts, Didgeridoo play and education session and traditional Aboriginal dancing.

Allwood Neighbourhood House

Reconciliation Week Smoking Ceremony and "Taking Care of Country" Yarning Circle | $1,000

Recognising Reconciliation Week and World Environment Day a Wurrundjeri Elder will conduct a traditional Aboriginal Smoking Ceremony. A significant cultural practice involving burning native plants to create smoke, believed to have cleansing and healing properties. Followed by a yarning circle "Taking Care of Country" connection to lands, waters and communities.

Catholic Ladies' College

Reconciliation Week Assembly | $1,000

During Reconciliation Week, the Reconciliation Group will host the annual assembly for the entire school, which will feature Fred Leone. We listen to First Nations' voices and educate young people about Aboriginal people's unique place in this country, and educate ourselves about First Nations culture, history, language, and storytelling.

Diamond Hills Preschool

Connecting to Country - Celebrating Indigenous Culture | $1,000

Connecting with Aboriginal Culture by celebrating history, making community connections and learning about the history and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The program will be delivered in recognition of Reconciliation week and NAIDOC week and explore activities focused on celebrating culture, bushtucker, language, art, song, dance and storytime.

Gurwidj Neighbourhood House

Womens Group NAIDOC Project "For Our Elders" | $1,000

Gurwijd Neighborhood House is an Aboriginal Women's Group that provides a culturally safe environment for women of all ages to attend. Gurwijd and Nillumbik Shire Council are hosting a NAIDOC Event, which will include morning tea and lunch for all women who attend.

Kangaroo Ground Preschool

Wurundjeri Elder Visit and Welcome to Country Ceremony | $1,000

Hosting an education visit by a Wurundjeri Elder to the preschool, providing children with an education and awareness of indigenous culture, including a smoking and welcome to country ceremony. Representing an important coming together of the preschool community with traditional owners, demonstrating their longstanding commitment to embedding Indigenous perspectives into their program.

Montsalvat Arts Centre

Celebrating NAIDOC Week - Of Birds & Monuments | $1,000

To celebrate NAIDOC Week, Montsalvat presents Of Birds and Monuments, performed by internationally award-winning artists, Coady Green (piano), Justin Kenealy (saxophone) and Yorta Yorta man Tiriki Onus (narrator). They present works by renowned Melbourne composers based upon stories from Indigenous texts prepared by Tiriki Onus and N’arweet Carolyn Briggs AM.

Nillumbik Reconciliation Group

NAIDOC Celebration with Aboriginal Women Artists | $1,000

To support Aboriginal artists painting decorative boards followed by a visit to Eltham where the group will make possum skin bracelets and work with members of Nillumbik community to share this activity. This collaboration with the Aboriginal Advancement League is a unique opportunity for Nillumbik to form a relationship with a vibrant Aboriginal community and learn from them some of the skills that are unique to Victorian Aboriginal heritage.

Research Junior Football Club

Research Junior Football Club Reconciliation Week | $1,000

During Reconciliation Week, the club will hold a smoking ceremony and display the Aboriginal flag on the field.

Warrandyte Historical Society

Launch of Aboriginal Display Upgrade | $1,000

With guidance and input from the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, the Warrandyte Historical Society is redeveloping and upgrading the Aboriginal display in the museum. When the display is finished, it will be displayed to the entire community at the museum.