Reconciliation brings cultures together

Water is in our songlines, our art, our stories

“Water is protected by Lore. It’s in our songlines, our art, our stories.”

These are the words of Dr Phil Duncan, a proud Gomeroi man, speaking at WaterNSW’s National Reconciliation Week 2023 event in Parramatta on 29 May.

Dr Duncan is recognised for his sustained contributions to national water policy and management, and his advocacy for greater respect and understanding of Aboriginal connections to water.

He addressed the importance of taking into account indigenous cultural science in managing water resources and addressing climate change.

“We see country as a living and breathing entity. We exist in harmony and pain,” Dr Duncan said.

He spoke of a “shared vision of the future for our kids” and urged everyone to “seize the day to talk, and seize the day to think about the future of our country”.

Earlier, WaterNSW CEO Andrew George recognised the “strong cultural and spiritual connection of Aboriginal communities to the lands, waters and rivers that we live and work upon.

“First Nations communities are one of our top 5 landholder groups in NSW, and we have an opportunity to learn from their vast knowledge and connections to landscape and waterways,” Andrew said.

Dr Phil Duncan
Dr Phil Duncan addresses WaterNSW’s National Reconciliation Week 2023 event in Parramatta.
RAP working group
Ngulaway working group members with the artwork for WaterNSW’s Innovate RAP (from left) Barry Philp, Brian Mayhew, Cath Hall, Andrea Patrick, Duane Byrnes.

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan

WaterNSW is committed to improving how we engage with First Nations people across all aspects of our operations and projects, as part of our Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs).

“Through the development of our Reflect RAP, we gained a greater appreciation and a deepening understanding of that connection,” Andrew said.

“As we prepare to launch our Innovate RAP, we continue to strengthen our relationship and partnerships with First Nations communities to further develop employment and procurement pathways to support the improvement of cultural, social and economic outcomes within First Nations communities.”

Russell Hill, Manager, First Nations Programs & Engagement, said the Innovate RAP will drive a positive and culturally appropriate approach to the delivery of WaterNSW services to First Nations communities throughout NSW.

“Our Innovate RAP outlines the organisations broader commitment to reconciliation, engaging more wholly with communities to strive for better outcomes in First Nations employment, training, and procurement,” Russell said.

“We are forming a new internal RAP working group named the RAP Ngulaway Group to encourage two-way learning, ownership, growth and internal resilience. Ngulaway is a Wiradjuri word meaning ‘meeting each other’.

“This group will help manage the delivery and implementation of the Innovate RAP and in doing so, bring us on the reconciliation journey.”

Rosemary Kariuki (left) and Renny Chivunga.
Guest speakers Renny Chivunga (left) and Rosemary Kariuki.
Buuja Buuja Dancers
Buuja Buuja Dancers performing at our National Reconciliation Week 2023 event.
Duane Byrnes artwork

Duane Byrnes working on an artwork co-created by attendees during WaterNSW’s National Reconciliation Week 2023 event. (Photos by Adam Hollingworth.)

Be a Voice for Generations

The theme of National Reconciliation Week 2023 is ‘Be a Voice for Generations’… “That theme encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives - where we live, work and socialise,” Andrew said.

People from all the cultures represented in WaterNSW’s diverse workface came together at our Parramatta office to celebrate reconciliation, sharing their food and stories.

Other guest speakers included:

  • Rosemary Kariuki, who arrived in Australia in 1999 to flee tribal clashes in Kenya, who shared her journey, what Australia means to her, reconciliation and First Nations people.
  • Renny Chivunga, who arrived in Australia in 2001 from Zimbabwe, shared her journey that has taken her from being a catwalk model to a pilot and most recently an engineer.
Innovate RAP artwork
The artwork on WaterNSW’s Innovate RAP is by Kheely Turner, a proud woman of the Ngiyampaa and Wiradjuri peoples. Kheely, who lives in West Wyalong, uses her art to maintain her connection to country and culture. It is her way of expressing and combining education and appreciation of Aboriginal culture and history.

Related links

In the flow

First Nations programs

Published date: 30 May 2023

WaterNSW acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands and waters on which we work and pay our respects to all elders past, present and emerging. Learn more