‘ALL IN’ FOR RECONCILIATION WEEK
Rec in the West – May 28 2026

Community members, including students from 28 schools, will come together on Thursday May 28 for the flagship Reconciliation Week event – Rec in the West.

Reconciliation in the West – known affectionately by locals as Rec in the West – is a free event that will be held between 10am – 2pm on May 28 at Tauondi Aboriginal College in Lipson Street, Port Adelaide.

This year’s event is expected to attract large crowds to enjoy a variety of activities including Yarning Circles, cultural workshops, a colour run, giant inflatable zoo, musical performances, free barbecue and over 50 stalls.

The theme for Reconciliation Week 2026 is All In, a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation every single day.

The theme highlights that reconciliation isn’t the responsibility of First Nations peoples alone. We need to take actions together that create a stronger, more inclusive community.

The Rec in the West event is a collaboration between Tauondi Aboriginal College, Life Without Barriers, AnglicareSA and UnitingSA – with all organisations playing integral roles in planning and hosting the event.
Reconciliation in the West also acknowledges the City of Port Adelaide Enfield Council and the RAA for their support in 2026.

National Reconciliation Week is held between May 27 and June 3 every year. The May 27 date marks the anniversary of the 1967 referendum, when Australians voted to remove clauses in the Australian Constitution that discriminated against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island peoples.

The June 3 end date marks the historic Mabo decision, when the High Court of Australia recognised native title and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people over their lands.

Quotes attributable to Lucy Wade, State Director for Child, Youth & Families and Alcohol & Other Drugs, Life Without Barriers
This year’s theme – ‘All In’ – calls for a shared and staunch commitment to Reconciliation—across government, non‑government sectors, and all communities. It reminds us that Reconciliation is not a moment or a slogan, but a responsibility we must live and breathe every day. It also means respecting self-determination by ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples lead the decisions that affect their lives, and by working with, not for, communities – recognising the lasting harm caused by colonisation.

Being all in means turning intention into action. It asks us, as allies, to move beyond words and make courageous choices – even when they are uncomfortable or challenging. It is a call to lead with integrity, to do what is right rather than what is easy, and to walk a genuine, sustained path toward reconciliation together.

Quotes attributable to Jen Hall, CEO UnitingSA
Rec in the West provides time and space for us to gather, to listen to each other, to deepen our understanding of our shared histories, and to explore how we can each contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

By supporting this event UnitingSA employees can demonstrate, in a practical way, our commitment to First Nations inclusion and equality. More than that, we take part because we want to bring even more people together on that journey.

Reconciliation starts with each of one of us making a commitment to continuing to listen, acknowledge and walk in partnership with our First Nations communities.

Quotes attributable to Grant Reubenicht, CEO, AnglicareSA
At AnglicareSA, we believe that reconciliation is not a single action, but a constant commitment to listening, learning, and taking meaningful action.

We see the power of connection, the importance of truth-telling, and the need to build genuine partnerships with First Nations peoples.

During National Reconilition Week we are proud to stand by the theme “All in for Reconciliation” and recognise that it is a call for all Australians to make a string commitment to reconciliation every day.

Our vision is to support First Nations peoples to prosper through equitable access to services, guided by our Reconciliation Action Plan as we continue to work towards positive and lasting change.

We are proud to again be a part of Reconciliation in the West, an important community event as we continue to stand up as a strong ally.

Visit the Rec in the West Facebook page for more information.

For media enquiries, please contact Shannon Short 0466 419 528.