Community members gathered at Bunbury’s Graham Bricknell Music Shell on Monday morning for the official opening of National Reconciliation Week.
Held from May 27 to June 3, the 2026 theme for National Reconciliation Week is All In, encouraging all Australians to commit to reconciliation daily and create change by taking action.
Hosted by Yaka Dandjoo, Monday’s ceremony saw Uncle Max Jetta perform the Welcome to Country, also completing the smoking ceremony alongside his grandson Mark Jetta, 10.
Guest speaker Uncle Peter Jetta spoke about the importance of reconciliation in the community, while councillor Julie Broad also shared a few words during the ceremony.
Yaka Dandjoo chairperson Charmaine May said recognising the start of reconciliation week through the opening ceremony was important to bring the community together.
“We can’t do this on our own,” she said.
“We share a community together and it’s so important to bring everybody together.
“It’s about sharing culture, sharing diversity and just coming together and having a cup of tea and a yarn.”
Ms May said Reconciliation Week was a time to think about what was being left behind for the next generation and building stronger communities for the future.
She said there would be lots of opportunities for the community to get involved throughout the week.
“What we want to do it not have it just for one week,” she said.
“We’re hoping that it creates those conversations, where people feel they belong and connected, so that’s what it’s really about.”
More information about the upcoming events for National Reconciliation Week can be found on the City of Bunbury website.
Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.
Sign up for our emails