Thousands of school children and community members from the western suburbs will come together this Thursday, 30 June, for the annual flagship Reconciliation Week event at Tauondi Aboriginal College in Port Adelaide.

Last year this popular community event attracted record crowds with the site taken over by an array of entertainment and activities including a colour run, giant inflatable zoo, weaving, dancing, cultural workshops and nearly 100 stalls.

Starting at 10.30am, the free event known as ‘Rec in the West’ has been a part of the annual Reconciliation Week calendar for more than a decade, and brings the whole community together to recognise the importance of reconciliation.

Tauondi Aboriginal College Chairperson Brenz Saunders said Rec in the West is a much-loved event that brings people from across the community together to mark Reconciliation Week.

“It’s such a wonderful celebration and a true reflection of how people from across the community come together to celebrate this much-loved event,” Mr Saunders said.

“This year’s theme Now More than Ever is an important notion to ask our communities and allies in strengthening the importance of Reconciliation.

“Now more than ever, should we challenge our thinking to rediscover the ways we serve our communities and empower our people.

“Now more than ever, should we create space to feel our emotions and harness that feeling to create change.

“Now more than ever, should we unite,” he said.

The Rec in the West event is a long-standing collaboration between Tauondi Aboriginal College, Life Without Barriers, AnglicareSA and UnitingSA – with all organisations playing integral roles in planning and hosting the event.

“Rec in the West has become a pivotal Reconciliation Week event for South Australia, bringing together thousands of people from all corners of the community,” said UnitingSA CEO Jenny Hall.

“UnitingSA is proud to be a part of this event and, Now more than Ever, we remain committed to tackling the unfinished business of reconciliation,” she added.

A range of school workshops and activities will run throughout the day, including:

Nylon Zoo
The amazing larger than life inflatables return to Rec in the West, including storytelling sessions throughout the day in the giant inflatable turtle.

Colour Run
Throughout the whole day, the community is invited to run through rainbows of colour on the Tauondi Oval, thanks to the team from the AnglicareSA Playford Communities for Children team. (Please note: a signed consent form is required for children and young people to participate).

Thread Together Van
Driving social and environmental change, the Thread Together Van provides people in need with brand new clothing that would otherwise end up in landfill.

Bugs & Slugs
Learn more about the secret lives of bugs and slugs as you get up close and personal with the critters that do all of nature’s dirty work. There will be bugs from the rainforest, the desert, the beach and your own backyard.

A diverse array of live music and entertainment will be on show on the mainstage from 11.10am including Kayala Children Centre, Bel Mac, Nathan May, Cat and Bec, and Tony and Ellie.

Visit the Rec in the West Facebook page for a full program and more information.