As part of National Reconciliation Week, our team came together for a cultural awareness and reconciliation training session led by Sharnee, a proud Barkindji Woman born on Awabakal Country and an experienced First Nations MC and facilitator.
The session gave us the opportunity to pause, listen and reflect on Australia’s shared history and to better understand the role we each play in building workplaces where people feel respected, included and safe to contribute.
Sharnee shared insights into the ongoing impacts of colonisation, historical government policies and the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today. Through open discussion and reflection, the conversation explored how these histories continue to shape trust, engagement and participation across communities and workplaces.
She also spoke about the importance of everyday actions in reconciliation. One example was the Acknowledgement of Country, which she described as something that should feel as natural as greeting someone when they enter a room, while still carrying deep meaning. Sharneereflected on the first time she heard an Acknowledgement of Country in a corporate meeting and how it made her feel welcomed and safe in that space. It was a powerful reminder that these practices are not just words. When done with respect and intention, they can help everyone in the room feel recognised, included and welcome.
The team left the session with a deeper understanding of the importance of reconciliation and a clearer awareness of how we can each contribute to a more inclusive future.
National Reconciliation Week is an important reminder of the value of connection, understanding and truth telling. Sessions like this help create stronger foundations for respectful relationships, both within our team and across the communities we work with.
A big thank you to Sharnee for generously sharing her knowledge, experiences and perspective with us.