Our Journey for Reconciliation
Reconciliation guides how we partner and work. Every day.
Acknowledgement to Country
Creating Communities acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, work and create. We recognise and respect all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nations and their continuing connection to culture, land and sea. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.
ADVICE: This experience may contain images of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have passed away.
our
Commitment
Reconciliation guides how we partner and work, every day. This means listening to the evolving stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples – so the work we do respects their lived experience and culture.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have cared for the lands and waters of the country we now call Australia for more than 60,000 years. We acknowledge their sovereignty and enduring authority over Country.
To us, reconciliation means building fair and respectful relationships, while addressing the structural inequalities that impact First Nations communities. This respect is reflected in the decisions we make every day.
We work alongside communities, support the Uluru Statement from the Heart and hold ourselves accountable for taking measurable action.
we will do what we say.
our vision
for Reconciliation
We work towards a fair and inclusive community. Building this kind of community means accepting our shared histories and fostering genuine relationships with First Nations people. It means leading by example and inspiring the broader community to do the same.
Our vision is to continue to build fair and truthful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This commitment is at the heart of how we work with Traditional Owners and community leaders.
We believe Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should always have a seat at the table – because people deserve a say in decisions that affect their lives. And when they do, everyone in the community benefits.
reconciliation means building relationships.
our
Business
We help organisations invest in creating stronger, more resilient communities. We deliver social planning, engagement and community development that benefits communities, and their local economies.
To make this happen, we partner with organisations to understand what matters most to the people they serve. Then, we respond with evidence-based action.
Building strong relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is a part of how we work. We co-design with communities and act on what we hear.
Our team is made up of people from diverse backgrounds and cultures. They include First Nations consultants and advisors, who strengthen our work with their expertise and cultural knowledge.
cultural knowledge is embedded in our work.
our
Reconciliation Action Plan
our journey began in 1992.
For more than 30 years, we have worked alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. In 2018, Reconciliation Australia endorsed our first RAP, which became a framework for our reconciliation journey.
Our current Innovate RAP 2025–2027 is governed by our RAP Working Group, which is overseen by our CEO Donna Shepherd, and supported by Nyoongar Advisor, David Collard.
Our RAP
Roadmap
The milestones that made up our RAP journey so far.
2018
First RAP endorsed
Engaged with JYAC and Karlka
Worked with First Nations NGOs in Newman
Elevated community voices and strengthened local pride in Newman
2019
Newman Futures Communications Strategy
Developed Subi East Cultural Narrative in collaboration with Aboriginal Elders
Led engagements for Katanning Child Development project
Delivered Telstra Indigenous Digital Excellence project
Supported Martu Leadership Project schools’ engagement
Aboriginal
Consultancy
Support
The Aboriginal Consultants we work with provide valuable expertise grounded in lived experience and cultural authority.
In 2020, we partnered with the University of Western Australia (UWA) and Nyoongar Elder, Dr Richard Walley to develop a cultural narrative for the Nedlands and Park Avenue Site Planning.
As a result, the Nyoongar significance of Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River) was embedded in the planning process.
2020
Supported remote Indigenous communities during COVID
Delivered Crime Prevention Strategy
Worked with UWA and Cultural Authority Dr Richard Walley on Nedlands and Park Avenue Site Planning
Launched Cultural Compact
Staff Cultural Awareness training day at Bibra lake
Delivered Home in East Newman Masterplan and engagement video
Designed Staying at Home and Getting Back Home projects
2021
Staff attended cultural walk and traditional smoking ceremony
Newman Feedback Group established
Newman Futures partners with Martumili Artists and BHP to create the East Newman Art Trail
Derek Nannup creates themed playground at Yanchep Golf Estate
East Newman Street Blitz’s
Empowering
Decision-Making
Decisions that impact community life should be led by the people who call it home. When this happens, change reflects what communities actually need to live better.
Since 2019, we have worked alongside Nyiyaparli and Martu leaders to ensure they guide decisions in Newman, as part of the Newman Futures project.
This project included the revitalisation of East Newman, led by Karlka Nyiyaparli Aboriginal Corporation, Jamukurnu Yapalikurnu Aboriginal Corporation and Puntukurnu Aboriginal Medical Service.
The work received a national award for Planning with Country.
2022
East Newman movie night, Yabu band and community BBQ
Coordinated Train Park stakeholders and school holiday program
Aboriginal Cultural Workshop with Derek Nannup at Yanchep National Park
Nine-day Ngaanyatjarra Lands engagement trip to develop Strong Homes, Strong Stories Community Plans.
2023
East Newman Precinct Structure Plan won national Planning Institute of Australia award
Participated in Walk for Yes
Hosted internal Lunch and Learn on the Voice to Parliament
Installed Acknowledgement of Country at Creating Communities office
Delivered culturally responsive brand for Maarakool Primary School
Supported launch of STRONG Jobs Trial with Ngaanyatjarra Council Community Development Program
2024
Delivered school holiday programs in Warburton
East Newman Precinct Structure Plan received national award recognition
Delivered Ngaanyatjarra Lands rebrand to build positive community narratives
Bunuru Social Impact Festival
2025
Our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2025–2027 was endorsed
Staff participated Walk for Reconciliation
2026
Supported K Farmer Dutjahn Foundation to write their Annual Report
Creating Lasting Change
The work we do allows us to foster reconciliation beyond our own organisation into broader community life. We believe in partnering with organisations who prioritise this too.
Peet Limited is a residential developer we have worked with since the early 2000s. We partnered with Nyoongar Advisor Derek Nannup and Peet on projects like the cultural playground at Yanchep Gold Estate.
These projects show how we put reconciliation into practice.
We thank our First Nations advisors and partners for the expertise and cultural leadership they bring to communities all around Australia.
