Architectus studios embrace Reconciliation Week theme

From 27 May to 3 June, National Reconciliation Week commemorated two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey – the successful 1967 Referendum and the High Court of Australia Mabo decision. This year, Reconciliation Australia asked everyone to make change beginning with brave actions in their daily lives – where they live, work, play and socialise. 

The Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Group at Architectus joined forces across our Australian studios to curate a series of local and national events held throughout the month of May, encouraging us to pause, consider, and ultimately act on, creating real and positive change in our practice, our community, and ourselves. 

Our Adelaide Studio visited the Rainbow Dreamz exhibition curated by Arabana and Kokatha artist Mali Isabel at the Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute.  

In Brisbane, a national event was hosted by Communications Director, Co-Chair of the National NAIDOC Committee, Co-Host of The Point on SBS/NITV and Deputy Chair of Indigenous Reference Group at the National Museum of Australia, John Paul Janke who spoke about the unknown, but true, the Indigenous history that has been missing from our history books in his talk titled ‘The Story of Us’. 

The Brisbane Studio also enjoyed a live musical performance from rock band Black Pudding featuring our very own Allan Rielly. Leading Yidaki player, Johnny Daylight joined the band and performed a solo on his digeridoo. 

Our Sydney Studio hosted a Bush Tucker Tour through Sydney’s Royal Botanic Gardens with Aboriginal guide Drew Roberts from Shared Knowledge. This was followed by a traditional high tea at Victoria Lodge utilising seasonal bush food ingredients.  

In Melbourne, we created a Reflections Wall, inviting staff to share their thoughts and learnings about reconciliation. The studio also hosted a morning tea discussion facilitated by First People’s Engagement Consultant and Cultural Adviser, Kat Rodwell about Traditional Owner Engagement, followed by a Q&A session with project leaders.  

“National Reconciliation Week is a time for us to reflect on our diverse histories and cultures and explore how we can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia,” said National Leader Urban Futures and Resilience, Alex Lawlor.  

We all have a role to play in reconciliation, and in doing so, we collectively build relationships and communities that value First Nations peoples, histories, cultures, and futures. This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme challenges us as – individuals, families, communities, organisations and government – to be brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can make change for the benefit of all Australians. 

Learn more about National Reconciliation Week here.