A great way to really get involved in local reconciliation is to join and attend events organised by your local reconciliation group. There are currently 22 registered Local Reconciliation Groups throughout NSW.
Most LRG’s meet regularly, create and host a range of events such as workshops, concerts, walks, tours and cultural gatherings. Many groups work with local government, schools and early learning.
They have invaluable information about local Indigenous culture and history and are happy to share it.
Reconciliation NSW supports the Local Reconciliation Group network with regular network meetings, e-newsletters, special event funding opportunities and public liability insurance. At our Annual General Meeting, registered individuals and LRGs can meet and share stories about the work they are doing for reconciliation in NSW.
If there isn’t an LRG in your area, you might want to start one of your own.
See our factsheet: How To Start A Local Reconciliation Group.
CURRENT LOCAL RECONCILIATION GROUPS (LRG’S)
Find out more about a Local Reconciliation Group near you:
Email: antarinnerwest@outlook.com
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/groups/585073019691645
We are a small but dynamic organisation representing a grassroots movement of Australians in support of justice, rights and respect for Australia’s First Peoples.
We are independent and non-partisan.
We operate in the Local Government Areas of Burwood, Canada Bay, Inner West, & Strathfield – Wangal land.
Formed in 1998 under the name ANTaR Lowe Action Group (Lowe being the then Federal electorate), the name was changed in 2007 to the more easily recognisable, ANTaR Inner West
Email: info@asgmwp.net
Website: https://asgmwp.net/
Convenor: Neil Evers
Hold regular meetings and coordinate; Sorry day commemorations, Cultural information nights as well as film screenings at various times.
Contact: Jenny Walmsley
Email: jwalmsley@westnet.com.au
Contact: Diana Eades
Email: deades2@une.edu.au
Website: Reconciliation | ANTaR
Annual Reconciliation Bridge Walk on Sunday of Reconciliation Week – 30 May 2020 12 noon to 2.30pm.
Newsletter: usually 3 times a year, since late 1990s.
Film and discussion nights co-sponsored with local Aboriginal groups.
Active participation in and support of events organised by local Aboriginal groups.
Meetings open to all first Wednesday of the month (except January) at Kent House, Faulkner St, 5.30-6.30pm.
Membership open to all ($5 to $25 per year, personal choice). Membership fees essential to keeping newsletter going and supporting events.
Convenor: Lyn Bevington
Email: lyn.bevington@somervillecartoons.com
Website: BM People for Reconciliation/ANTaR (mcrn.org.au)
This group meets monthly they support the Schools Reconciliation Challenge project; support NAIDOC events and run events in Reconciliation Week; We coordinate annual Sharing the Journey Elders Lunch; and support Ninganah No More, a Darug Language project in 4 local preschools.
Convenor: Judy MacGregor
Email: judy.06@yahoo.com
Website:
Bennelong Reconciliation Group founded in 1997, meet five times a year at Ryde Library to discuss local matters related to First Nations peoples. The group are part of the Community Migrant Resource Centre’s Harmony Day event, held in March every year at Eastwood, run a stall at Hunters Hill Moocooboola Festival every August, and up until 2019, took part in Ryde Council’s Granny Smith Festival, organised events in the Gaimariagal Festival (May to June), and are members of ANTaR, and Reconciliation Network for the Northern Sydney Region.
Convenor: Jenny Akers
Email: Jajenjen15@gmail.com
Facebook: Dungog Reconciliation Group | Facebook
Dungog Reconciliation Group have a monthly book club meeting as well as gatherings to progress reconciliation in the Dungog area.
Co-Chair: Ivan Roberts
Email: iroberts2505@yahoo.com.au
Website: https://myallcreek.org/
The Friends of Myall Creek raise awareness of the Myall Creek Massacre, to understand better the truth of our shared history.
Friends of Myall Creek embraces all of us in the journey of reconciliation between Aboriginal and other Australians.
There is an elected national committee, half Aboriginal, half other, where the Aboriginal voice has the final word. There are also Friends of Myall Creek groups in Sydney and Armidale, open to all.
Main contacts: Ann Love & Sue Martin & Phil Hanbury
Email: info@hillsyarning.com
Website: facebook.com/HillsYarning
‘Yarning Together on Dharug Country in Sydney’s Northwest.’
Hills Yarning dreams of genuine reconciliation with First Nations people in the Hills area of Northwest Sydney. We gather to learn more about Aboriginal culture and consider how we might work together to create meaningful social change. Hills Yarning was formed in 2020 under the auspice of Sydney Alliance and is now a member of Reconciliation NSW. Hills Yarning aims to work closely with The Hills Shire Council to amplify First Nation voices.
Contact: Dorothy Babb, dorothybabb7@gmail.com
Working to advance Reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in the Hornsby area.
Committee meetings are held 3 times per year.
Chairperson: Sarah Pederson
Email: pederson_89@hotmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kyogletogether/
Coordinate a Reconciliation Walk and Celebration Day in Reconciliation Week, this is a public reconciliation march through Kyogle followed by a celebration day at the Kyogle Amphitheatre. Activities include Free BBQ / bush tucker, face painting, coffee cart, jumping castle/gladiator ring, boomerang painting, live music, sack races/kids’ activities & community stalls. We also coordinate NAIDOC Week Activities (in conjunction with Gugin Gudduba Aboriginal Land Council) and NAIDOC Celebration Day these are held at either Gugin Gudduba / Kyogle Amphitheatre and include Yarning circles, music and dance, cultural activities, bush tucker, art exhibition, BBQ and children’s entertainment.
Email: lanecovereconciliation@gmail.com
Contact: Kerrie McKenzie
Email: kerriemckenzie@bigpond.com
Contact: Rosemary Taylor
Email: rosemarytaylor10@gmail.com
‘Walking Together in Cameraygal Country on Sydney’s Lower North Shore.’
Lane Cove Residents for Reconciliation (LCRR) was founded in 1997 by local Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and is a voluntary community group registered with Reconciliation NSW and with Lane Cove Council.
In 2000, LCRR was a founding member of the Reconciliation Network: Northern Sydney Region (RNNSR).
LCRR is a recipient of a National Reconciliation Award ‘for actively engaging people in our shared history and sustaining the Reconciliation process’. New members are most welcome.
Find out more and become a member!
Co-Chairs: Meryl Dillon and Glen Crump
Email:
moreereconciliationgroup@outlook.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092392164496 MRG Moree Reconciliation Group
The Moree Reconciliation Group (MRG) is a volunteered group bringing together indigenous and non-indigenous community members whose aspirations are to support, educate and inspire our Community to engage in Reconciliation. MRG will continue to host events and celebrate cultural dates of significance and create opportunities and networks for learning and action.
Mosman Reconciliation is a voluntary group bringing together Indigenous and non-indigenous members of Mosman and neighboring communities. The group works closely with Council and other relevant organisations to undertake a range of community initiatives to advance Reconciliation.
It was established in 1998 following meetings promoting Aboriginal Reconciliation and Native Title, and support for social justice for Indigenous Australians.
Mosman Reconciliation supports The Uluru Statement from the Heart – Voice, Treaty, Truth
Mosman Reconciliation’s main activity is to promote and encourage all Australians to support The Uluru Statement from the Heart.
We invite you to sign on to the 1Voice Uluru campaign.
https://www.1voiceuluru.org/
Mosman Reconciliation is part of the Northern Sydney Region Reconciliation Network (NSRRN), Reconciliation NSW, Women’s Reconciliation Network (WRN)and Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation (ANTaR). Every year during the Northern Sydney Guringai Festival and NAIDOC (National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Day Observance Committee) Week, the group coordinates activities to promote an appreciation of Aboriginal culture and heritage and raise community awareness of Reconciliation issues.
Co-Chair: Frennie Beytagh
Email:
frennieb@yahoo.com.au
Project Manager: Ann McKinnon-Baker
Email:
mtdruittreconciliation@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MtDruittAndDistrictReconciliationGroup/
Regular meetings, 1st Tuesday of each month (except January) + extra as required. Yarning Circles, 1 or 2 in Spring and/or Summer – Uncle Wes telling stories around the fire with light supper. Commemoration of the 2008 Apology (February – annual) – Speakers, gathering and dinner. Mt Druitt Reconciliation Walk and Concert (May – annual) – Performers, cultural activities, speakers, free sausage sizzle, stalls and walk-through local streets.
Contact: Project Officer: Karen Gough
karenjgough@gmail.com
Locally based in Thirroul. Meets quarterly, next meeting held on the 19th March 2023.
North Parramatta
Contact: Richard Maguire
Email:
maguires18@gmail.com
Secretary: Annie Nielson
Email:
annie.nielsen68@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/R4WSEvents/
General Meetings of Members and Visitors 3rd Wednesday of each month. We also coordinate an Annual Reconciliation Bridge Walk usually the Sunday at the beginning of Reconciliation Week.
Contacts: Kerrie McKenzie kerriemckenzie@bigpond.com
Nic Witton wittons@optusnet.com.au
Founded in 2000, the Reconciliation Network: Northern Sydney Region (RNNSR) comprises representatives of Northern Sydney Reconciliation organisations including LRGs, plus Indigenous Services & Networks and Local Governments & Community Support Groups. RNNSR provides a forum for members and guests to meet together to discuss and act on matters related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues, to social justice and the truth-telling of Australian history. RNNSR appreciates the partnership and support of all nine Northern Sydney Local Councils and for their hosting on a rotational basis, of our five annual meetings.
‘A united Australia which respects this land of ours; values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage; and provides justice and equity for all.’
Mullumbimby
Secretary: Bronwyn Sindel
Email:
bronwynjean@dodo.com.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ByronEnvironmentCentre/
Annually coordinate activities for; Survival Day – Jan 26 – Welcome to Country, Dancing, Speeches, kids’ activities, weaving, dancers, music, barbeque, tea, cake, coffee; NAIDOC Celebrations: July 10 – Family Fun Day at the Mullumbimby Neighbourhood Centre with same activities as above; July 11 – NAIDOC at Byron – outside event next to the Surf Club with same activities.
Contact: PO Box 1151, Sutherland, NSW, 1499
Email: suthsrec@gmail.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sutherland-Shire-Reconciliation-1432227577015650
The vision of Sutherland Shire Reconciliation (SSR) is to foster relationships, understanding and respect between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. We seek to work with all who see the Reconciliation process as the way forward to a better future for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Our committee is made up of five Aboriginal people and five non-Aboriginal people who live and/or work on the traditional lands of the Dharawal speaking people in Sutherland Shire. We are a group of both men and women of varying ages from 20’s to 80’s. SSR holds bi-monthly meetings and yarning circles.
We proudly collaborate with our local Aboriginal community; the Sutherland AECG (Aboriginal Education Consultative Group); the SSAAC and Kurranulla Aboriginal Corporation.
We are an active group and proudly:
• Published our first book in 2019, ‘The Past Is In Us, Not Behind Us’, a biography of our dear friend, the late Les Bursill, OAM; Dharawal Knowledge Holder and SSR Committee member
• Support Survival Day by joining the Yabin Festival on the traditional lands of the Gadigal people in Sydney at Victoria Park.
• We join the Appin Massacre Memorial each year.
• Celebrate NAIDOC week at Gunnamatta Park, Cronulla and make connections with our local community.
• Wear our ‘We support the Statement from the Heart’ T-shirts. We joined the rally in Cronulla on Valentine’s Day to support a voice for our First Nations people being enshrined in the constitution, with Reconciliation NSW and Thomas Mayor.
• Host excursions to the Royal Botanic Garden Sydney to participate in bush tucker workshops; the Art Gallery NSW and State Library of NSW to view Aboriginal exhibits; Hazlehurst Regional Gallery for film nights showing current films or documentaries on Aboriginal topics.
• Join the ANTaR ‘Walk for Reconciliation’ across the Sydney Harbour Bridge
• Host bush tucker workshops to learn to grow and cook bush foods and a tasting time at the end.
• Celebrated our 21st Anniversary in 2019, by hosting an Expo to showcase Aboriginal craft, art and bush tucker foods and provided the opportunity for sale of these on the day.
• Host Journeys of Understanding for the community to connect with our Aboriginal heritage and culture.
In 2019, several members attended the Yamma Ngunna Baaka Corroborees Festival bus tour of several NSW outback towns with the ‘Water for Rivers’. We learnt of the devastating impact of the theft of water by large companies from the Murray Darling water system.
Our 2020 initiative the School Starter Pack is our gift for every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child starting school on Dharawal Country next year in the Sutherland Shire. The School Starter Pack includes ‘Young Dark Emu’ by Bruce Pascoe; and Dictionary of Dharawal words compiled by the SSR Chairperson, Graham Avery a Yuin man, in consultation with local Dharawal Knowledge Holders. The School Starter Pack will also contain the three flags of Australia and an Aboriginal Australia cultural map and stationery. Our Aboriginal Committee Members have been making braided ties in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flag colours to attach a large gum tree capsule on each bag.
Our future plans include
• A day of learning about Dharawal language
• A journey of understanding for our local early childhood education centres to develop positive relationships with local Aboriginal people from their community who will share their knowledge, skills, and art from their culture.
We welcome new members, so if you would like to become a member, please contact us on the Sutherland Shire Reconciliation email address or write to the postal address above, or you can contact the people listed above.
Secretary: Peter Jones
Email:
wingamyamly@gmail.com
Coordinator Sister Kerry MacDermott
Annually coordinate events for; Appin Massacre Memorial (April); Sorry Day (May); Reconciliation Week (May-June); NAIDOC Week Festival Event (Walk and markets at Bradbury Oval – we have a stall (July); Winga Myamly Aboriginal Women’s Art Group (Minto Market Place Stall – periodically throughout the year).
Southern Highlands
Co-Chairs: Trish Levett & Lee Borradale
Email:
Reconciliation.wingecarribee@gmail.com
Annual Koori Flag Raising and Mirror Flash- Saturday April 11, 2020, 2pm Gibbergunyah Reserve, Bowral.
Other events to be announced- please get in touch and join our membership.
Website: https://wrnredfern.org.au/
Secretary: Frennie Beytagh
Email:
frennieb@yahoo.com.au
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WomensReconciliationNetwork/
Monthly Yarning Circles with mixed delivery through Zoom meeting and at Redfern Community Centre usually attended by 20-25 members and a guest speaker.