Bridging Now to Next – Rec in the West – May 29
Hundreds of school children and community members from the western suburbs will come together this Thursday May 29 for the annual flagship Reconciliation Week event at Tauondi Aboriginal College in Port Adelaide.

Reconciliation in the West (Rec in the West) is a popular annual community event attracting large crowds who enjoy a variety of entertainment and activities including a colour run, giant inflatable zoo, musical performances, Kaurna language and dance workshops and almost 60 stalls.

The free event, starting at 10.00am, 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.

“As we come together to commemorate reconciliation in this country, this year’s theme ‘Bridging Now to Next’ is a crucial reminder for government, community organisations and community leaders to ensure that there is space for our future generations to participate in dialogue and decision-making to ultimately ensure they inherit a just and equitable landscape of affairs that is empathic of the challenges being experienced in today’s world.”

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 is a perfect example of the importance of strong partnerships towards championing reconciliation. Tauondi’s partnership with AnglicareSA, Life Without Barriers and UnitingSA continues to embody a spirit of unity grounded in respect and action.

“As we continue to operate in a forever evolving landscape, Tauondi remains committed to empowering our community through education, opportunity, and strong Aboriginal leadership,” Mr Saunders said.

National Reconciliation Week is held between 27 May and 3 June every year. The 27 May 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 3 June end date marks the historic Mabo decision, when the High Court of Australia recognised native title and that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people’s rights over their lands survived British Colonisation.

Quotes attributable to UnitingSA CEO Jenny Hall
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for all of us to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how we can each contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

Rec in the West has become a pivotal Reconciliation Week event for South Australia, bringing together hundreds of people from all corners of the community. UnitingSA is proud to be a part of this event. Australia’s history of reconciliation is not a linear one, we have made great strides and experienced disappointing setbacks. Reconciliation must live in the hearts, minds and actions of all Australians as we move forward.

Quotes attributable to AnglicareSA CEO Grant Reubenicht
Reconciliation is everyone’s business, and an important commitment to who we are at AnglicareSA.

National Reconciliation Week (NRW) is a time for growth, reflection, and commitment to walking together.

At AnglicareSA we acknowledge that reconciliation takes ongoing commitment, requiring each of us to recognise the truth of the past, to practise continued reflection, and listening alongside First Nations people.

Our commitments and actions resonate with the 2025 NRW theme, Bridging Now to Next, for we are the now and we believe the future for our next generation should have reconciliation at the centre of it.

We are proud to be a part of Rec in the West each year as is it is a great opportunity to help broaden knowledge of culture and a chance to connect with community.

Quotes attributable to State Director for Child, Youth & Families and Alcohol & Other Drugs Lucy Wade
Bridging the Gap from Now to Next for me encourages the question of what it means to be an ally and advocate for a path of reconciliation.

It’s an opportunity to learn from the past, admit when we haven’t got it right and take responsibility to evolve in our allyship. Our past approaches of making passive statements of support without action is woefully inadequate.

We need to recognise and utilise the power we have as non-Aboriginal people and organisations in carving a meaningful path of reconciliation.

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

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