National Reconciliation Week
Each year National Reconciliation Week celebrates and builds on the respectful relationships shared by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.
The dates that bookend the week are significant milestones in the reconciliation journey. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward, creating a nation strengthened by respectful relationships between the wider Australian community, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Make reconciliation part of your story, and your future.
2026 National Reconciliation Week Activities
Council is proud to recognise National Reconciliation Week (NRW) 2026, embracing this year’s theme, “All In”, which encourages all Australians to play their part in advancing reconciliation.
Events are listed below, alternatively you can download the 2026 Events Flyer(PDF, 4MB) .
Coffee Cup Artwork Showcase
A key initiative this year is a Coffee Cup Art Competition, where community members were invited to submit artwork that reflects the Reconciliation theme “All-In”.
Throughout NRW, the winning Coffee Cup Artwork Competition designs will be showcased in cafes across the shire.
Locations: Portland Twelvefold; Heywood Bakery; Casterton Element Café & Larder
The National Reconciliation Week Art Winners will be announced soon - Watch this space for details
Libraries After Dark – “All In” Message Rocks
The Glenelg Libraries will host a community activity on Thursday 28 May, 6pm - 8pm at the Portland Library.
Paint a word or short phrase on a rock that represents your personal commitment to reconciliation, all while enjoying a slice of pizza. No RSVPs required.
Storytime & Craft Activity
Celebrate the “All In” message of NRW through storytime followed by a fun craft activity for children on Friday 29 May from 11am-12pm at the Portland Library. Come together to learn, create and celebrate connection.
Suitable for children aged 3–5 years.
Jason Walker Exhibition – Mirring
Jason Walker’s first solo exhibition, Mirring, will be on display at the Portland Arts Centre from Friday 29 May – Friday 3 July.
Join us for the official exhibition launch featuring a Smoking Ceremony upon arrival and a performance by the Fighting Gunditjmara dancers.
Portland Arts Centre Launch: Friday 29 May, 5.30pm
Exhibition Open: Monday to Friday, 10am – 4pm
Snake Craft Activity
Create a paper chain of one of Australia's native animals during NRW from Saturday 30 May from 2pm-3:30pm at the Portland Library.
Sunrise Ceremony
A Sunrise Ceremony will close National Reconciliation Week on Wednesday 3 June 7.30am to 8.15am at the Kardermudelar Karweeyn Mirring Portland Dance Ground.
The event will feature:
- Welcome to Country
- Smoking Ceremony
- Performance by Koondoom Yarkeen Karweeyn
- A Gunditjmara language demonstration by Portland Primary School
- A school art display
- A showcase of the winning Coffee Cup Artwork
For more information on NRW activities, please contact Carol Stewart, Community Development Coordinator, Glenelg Shire Council via e: cstewart@glenelg.vic.gov.au or p: (03) 5522 2331.
National Reconciliation Week Past Activities
Winda Mara Youth Group collaboration with artists Isobel Knowels and Daen Sainsbury-Smith
Over two days, the young artists at the Wind Mara Youth Group worked alongside Isobel Knowels and Daen Sainsbury-Smith experimenting with stop motion animation and sound editing to generate their own augmented reality t-shirt design. This video shows the fabulous animation work captured on the day.
This project, made for National Reconciliation Week 2024 is a collaboration of the incredibly talented Winda Mara Youth Group and artists Isobel Knowles and Daen Sainsbury-Smith and was made possible by Winda Mara Aboriginal Corporation and Glenelg Shire Council.
Isobel Knowles is a multi-disciplinary artist based in Melbourne, (originally from Portland, Victoria). Her work investigates different aspects of human experience and engages viewers physically and emotionally through technology, narrative and interaction. Isobel’s storytelling practice focuses on collaboration with communities and individuals to sensitively portray their stories through animation and immersive experiences.
Daen Sansbury-Smith is a Narungga/ Kaurna and Trawoolwaway content producer, visual artist and founder of Adjadura Art (My peoples art in Narungga). Sansbury-Smith has produced countless art works over the years as an exploratory process producing gifts to decorate family homes of reinterpreted culture stories
Demystifying History Documentary
The Glenelg Aboriginal Partnership Group proudly presents 'Demystifying History', a local documentary providing a comprehensive insight into the region's rich cultural heritage.
The documentary, which was launched during National Reconciliation Week in 2018, features interviews with Aboriginal leaders and Elders reflecting on the historical moments that have shaped the shire’s cultural identity, aligning with the 2018 National Reconciliation Week theme of ‘Don’t Keep History a Mystery’.