Reconciliation Tasmania

Reconciliation Tasmania Reconciliation Tasmania is the statewide body promoting reconciliation for all Tasmanians.

We build relationships across the Tasmanian community, facilitate education opportunities for all and collaborate closely with Tasmanian Aboriginal communities to celebrate history and culture and work to close the gap of disadvantage. We are a not-for-profit social enterprise deriving operational funding from consultancy services, with project funding sourced through grant programs, funding bodie

s and philanthropic endeavour. In 2015, Bill Lawson was the first Tasmanian to take a seat on the Board of Reconciliation Australia. Amongst other things, he learned that all States except Tasmania have had State Reconciliation Councils affiliated with Reconciliation Australia since the bridge walks of 2000. The Reconciliation Council of Tasmania was founded on August 9, 2017 a significant date to launch, the United Nations Day of the Worlds Indigenous Peoples - IDWIP.

05/06/2026

Truth. Reckoning. Change. Reconciliation in Tasmania: A New Understanding and Approach.

National Reconciliation Week has been a time of reckoning with truth and accountability, led by powerful voices sharing honest, and at times challenging perspectives that call us toward the change we know is urgently needed. Our final breakfast, held on Wednesday in Launceston on Kanamaluka/River Tamar was a fitting end to such a significant week, with 300 people coming together at The Tailrace Centre.

Bianca Templar opened the morning with a Welcome to Country that moved us all, warmly sharing her personal connections to Country, culture and family to ground us and set the tone for everything that followed.

We were honoured to hear from Tom Teniswood, who shared what guided him and Jane to hand 110 hectares of their East Coast property to the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania in 2019, the first private land handback in Tasmania. A tangible, real example of what reconciliation looks like in action, not just in words.

Proud Palawa man and business leader Graeme Gardner responded to Tom and brought his own lived experience and wisdom, articulating just how much the story of the first land return by Tom and Jane Teniswood meant for his Community.

And DENNI, joined by the choir from St Patrick’s College, gave a performance that connected us all and reminded us of our shared humanity. Emotional, inspiring, and deeply powerful, she told stories through song, sharing pride in her Community and culture. Her music, woven through rap, electronic and acoustic sounds, carried a clear and necessary message: that a respectful relationship between Tasmanian Aboriginal people and non-Aboriginal Tasmanians is not only possible, but essential. And it must be built on truth, accountability, and honesty.

To everyone who gave their time, shared their personal experiences, and came along with open minds, thank you. To our incredible sponsors: your support made this event, and our whole program across the week, possible. We know that for you, this work is so much more than one week a year. Thank you.

Truth. Reckoning. Change. For non-Aboriginal Tasmanians, this is what we must commit to. Together, we can make real change happen.

📷 Minch Media

02/06/2026

Truth. Reckoning. Change.

Yesterday, around 200 people came together in Pataway/Burnie for a moving National Reconciliation Week breakfast and a program of deeply powerful voices of truth and reckoning.

MC Teeny Brumby - Mayor of Burnie guided us through the morning which opened with a Welcome to Country from Karen Smart, grounding us all in connection to place and purpose for the morning to come.

Dr Ian Sale shared the story behind last year's handing back of land at Dempster Creek in Loongana to the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania: a tangible example of what reconciliation looks like when it goes beyond words and into action.

Dewayne Everettsmith's words of truth and lived experience left the room in no doubt: a new approach to reconciliation is needed, one where non-Aboriginal people take responsibility for changing the systems that have failed First People and continue to diminish as us individuals, as a society and as Tasmanians. He closed with a song that moved the room in the way only music can.

DENNI’s powerful performances were story-telling through song, sharing pride in culture and Community but also messages of the need for relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people based on accountability, humanity and respect.

To everyone who joined us: thank you. Being part of this critical conversation really matters, and yesterday you showed us that there is an appetite for change. Together we must build a more just and equitable Tasmania, for now and for future generations - so that all can thrive.

To our valued sponsors, whose support makes these events possible: thank you, for partnering with us and supporting our work. And to our guest speakers and all who participated: we are grateful for your openness and honesty in sharing your truths and pointing the way forward.

The conversation continued this morning in Launceston on Kanamaluka/River Tamar. Stay tuned for the photos, coming soon.

📷 Minch Media

28/05/2026

On Wednesday, almost 1000 people came together for what can only be described as a morning of reckoning.

On the first day of National Reconciliation Week 2026, the first in our series of NRW breakfasts was moving, powerful and at times uncomfortable. But discomfort, when met with honesty and a genuine commitment to accountability, can be a space where real change begins. And change to the story of reconciliation in Tasmania is urgently needed.

The morning opened with a Welcome to Country from Trish Hodge, grounding us in place and purpose. This event could not begin without honouring the legacy and cultural leadership of Craig Everett and the significance of his contribution to strengthening relationships between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people in Tasmania. Led with strength by Trish, this included a performance from DENNI and brought the whole room together in tribute .

The theme of the morning was: Truth. Reckoning. Change. Reconciliation in Tasmania: A New Understanding and Approach. This was addressed in a panel discussion, chaired with reflection and care by Sinsa Mansell and Ryk Goddard, who brought their own strength and lived experiences to the conversation. Discussion covered the breadth of where we are, and where we need to go. A very big thank you to our panel co-chairs and panellists Rodney Gibbins, Alison Overeem, Prof Tim McCormack, and Cody Gangell-Smith, for sharing their truths, and to MC Rob Valentine for holding the space so well.

The Hon Bridget Archer MP, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, delivered a response to the panel for the audience to consider, and then DENNI returned for a rousing performance, joined by the choir from St Patrick's College, Launceston.

The morning left us with much to reflect on, and a lot to act on. There is a clear need for a new understanding and a renewed approach to reconciliation here in Tasmania. Yesterday showed us the appetite among the wider community is there.

Thank you to our valued sponsors, to the students from Elizabeth College who volunteered as our ushers, and to everyone who joined us at MyState Bank Arena to be part of this important conversation.

📷 Photos by Jillian Mundy

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY to book tickets for our National Reconciliation Week breakfasts in Pataway/Burnie and Launceston o...
26/05/2026

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY to book tickets for our National Reconciliation Week breakfasts in Pataway/Burnie and Launceston on Kanamaluka/River Tamar.

This year our theme is: Truth. Reckoning. Change. Reconciliation in Tasmania: A New Understanding and Approach.

In Tasmania, reconciliation can't mean business as usual. Our history demands something more honest, a real reckoning with the past and a genuine commitment to what must come next.

At these breakfasts, Tasmanian Aboriginal leaders and non-Aboriginal Tasmanians will share stories of truth and challenge, action and hope. They'll speak to the question at the heart of it all: what does reconciliation actually mean for Tasmania, today and into the future?

These events aren't about ticking boxes or comfortable platitudes. They're an opportunity to really listen, to sit with difficult truths, and to be part of an important conversation that will shape a new understanding of reconciliation in this state. We invite you to be there, not as an observer, but as a participant in a conversation that matters.

🔸 Pataway/Burnie: Tuesday 2 June | Burnie Arts Centre
🔸 Launceston on Kanamaluka/River Tamar: Wednesday 3 June | Tailrace Centre

Book a table or tickets, but make sure you do it now - today is your last chance. https://events.humanitix.com/host/reconciliation-tasmania

Today, on National Sorry Day, we acknowledge the strength and resilience of Stolen Generations survivors, their families...
26/05/2026

Today, on National Sorry Day, we acknowledge the strength and resilience of Stolen Generations survivors, their families and communities.

Nearly 30 years after the Bringing Them Home report was delivered, only five of its 83 recommendations have been fully implemented. For many survivors who courageously shared their stories, justice has come too slowly. For those still with us, time matters.

The Bringing Them Home report (1997) documents the forced removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children across Australia, including here in Tasmania. Its Tasmania chapter outlines how these policies operated in this state and their lasting impacts on Tasmanian Aboriginal families and community.

It reminds us of the enduring impacts of forced removal, and the lifelong effects of loss, grief, disconnection and resilience.

Saying sorry matters. It acknowledges truth, loss and the enduring impacts of these policies.

But sorry without action is not enough.

Reconciliation Tasmania stands with The Healing Foundation in amplifying this year’s clear call: From Sorry to Action and the need for a clear plan to act on Bringing Them Home (2026–2028).

Meaningful reconciliation requires truth telling, accountability and action. It means listening, supporting Aboriginal led healing, and continuing the unfinished work of reconciliation.

Today, we reflect, remember and recommit to turning sorry into action

https://humanrights.gov.au/bringing-them-home/the-report/part-2-tracing-the-history/chapter-6-tasmania.html

20/05/2026

Truth. Reckoning. Change.
Bookings close THIS FRIDAY 22 MAY at 2pm. Don't miss out.

Next Wednesday's National Reconciliation Week Breakfast in Nipaluna/Hobart brings together an extraordinary panel of voices for a conversation that’s needed to build a more just and equitable Tasmania.

Our co-chairs:
🔸 Sinsa Mansell - Pakana woman, artist and cultural advocate
🔸 Ryk Goddard - 936 ABC Hobart breakfast radio host

Panellists:
🔸Rodney Gibbins 🔸 Alison Overeem 🔸 Cody Gangell-Smith 🔸 Prof Tim McCormack

Plus a live performance by Tasmanian Aboriginal hip-hop artist DENNI, that will be powerful, moving, and unforgettable!

This is not a morning of comfortable platitudes or ticking boxes. It's your opportunity to really listen, sit with difficult truths, and be part of an important conversation about what reconciliation must become in Tasmania.

Tables and individual tickets are still available, but bookings close at 2pm this Friday 22 May.

Book now via the link below. Don't leave it too late.
https://events.humanitix.com/nationalreconciliationweek2026breakfast_nipaluna-hobart

Truth. Reckoning. Change. And the voices to take us there.There's just over a week to go, and if you haven't booked your...
18/05/2026

Truth. Reckoning. Change. And the voices to take us there.
There's just over a week to go, and if you haven't booked your tickets yet, now is the time.

Our National Reconciliation Week Breakfast in Nipaluna/Hobart on Wednesday 27 May brings together an extraordinary gathering of voices for a conversation that's essential for building a more just and equitable Tasmania.

Co-charing the panel discussion:
🔸 Sinsa Mansell - Pakana woman, artist and cultural advocate with a longstanding commitment to truth-telling and Palawa self-determination, working nationally and internationally to connect communities with First Nations culture
🔸 Ryk Goddard - 936 ABC Hobart breakfast radio host

They will be joined by four outstanding panellists:
🔸 Rodney Gibbins - active campaigner for Palawa self-determination and recognition, and senior Aboriginal policy leader with over 30 years in state and Commonwealth governments
🔸 Alison Overeem - nationally respected Palawa leader in creating culturally safe spaces and driving systemic reform grounded in culture, community and integrity
🔸 Cody Gangell-Smith - Palawa truth-teller, cultural practitioner and justice advocate for First Peoples and the environment
🔸 Prof Tim McCormack - Professor of International Law at the University of Tasmania and assistant on the Pathway to Truth-Telling and Treaty project

🔸 And DENNI, Tasmanian Aboriginal hip-hop artist, will also be performing. If you've seen her powerful and moving performances before, you already know. If you haven't, this is your moment!

This is not a morning of ticking boxes or comfortable platitudes. It is an opportunity to really listen, to sit with difficult truths, and to be part of an important conversation about what reconciliation needs to become in Tasmania.

Tables and individual tickets are still available, but not for long. Book a table for your team and carry this conversation back into your workplace.
https://events.humanitix.com/nationalreconciliationweek2026breakfast_nipaluna-hobart

14/05/2026

Truth. Reckoning. Change. And the voices to take us there.
We are excited to announce the co-chairs and panellists for our National Reconciliation Week Breakfast in Nipaluna/Hobart on Wednesday 27 May.

Sinsa Mansell - a Pakana woman, artist and cultural advocate working across the arts and cultural sector, with a longstanding commitment to truth-telling and Palawa self-determination - and Ryk Goddard, 936 ABC Hobart breakfast radio host, will co-chair a panel discussion on "Truth. Reckoning. Change. Reconciliation in Tasmania: A New Understanding and Approach”. This conversation will bring together extraordinary voices, perspectives and knowledge.

Our panellists are:
🔸 Rodney Gibbins - Active campaigner for Palawa self-determination and recognition since the 1970s, served for over 30 years in state and commonwealth governments as a senior Aboriginal program and policy officer
🔸 Alison Overeem - Proud Palawa woman, nationally respected Aboriginal leader in creating culturally safe spaces and driving systemic reform grounded in culture, community and integrity
🔸 Cody Gangell-Smith - Palawa truth-teller and cultural practitioner, and justice advocate for First Peoples and the environment.
🔸 Prof Tim McCormack - Professor of International Law at the University of Tasmania and assistant to Kate Warner AC on the Pathway to Truth-Telling and Treaty project.

This is not a morning of ticking boxes or comfortable platitudes. It is an opportunity for organisations and individuals to really listen and learn, to sit with difficult truths and to be part of a critical conversation about what reconciliation needs to become in Tasmania.

We encourage businesses, government agencies and community organisations to book a table and bring your team. Be part of this important conversation to shape a new understanding and approach to Reconciliation in Tasmania.

🔸 Wednesday 27 May - MyState Bank Arena Nipaluna/Hobart
Book your table or tickets now at the link below.
https://events.humanitix.com/nationalreconciliationweek2026breakfast_nipaluna-hobart

This year, for National Reconciliation Week in Tasmania, it's time for a reckoning. Across three events statewide, Tasma...
07/05/2026

This year, for National Reconciliation Week in Tasmania, it's time for a reckoning.

Across three events statewide, Tasmanian Aboriginal leaders and non-Aboriginal Tasmanians will share stories of truth, challenge, action and hope, speaking to the question: What does reconciliation mean for Tasmania, today and into the future?

In Tasmania, the language of reconciliation can often act as a barrier to essential relational work, because it implies a return to positive relationships that have never existed here. Tasmania's dark history of violence, discrimination and denial, alongside limited contemporary actions of redress and recognition, means reconciliation must respond to this context before it can move forward.

For reconciliation to serve as a meaningful vehicle for equality, justice and unity, it must be reframed to centre Aboriginal truth-telling, leadership and sovereignty. And it must include the core principle that Aboriginal people have nothing to reconcile; reconciliation is the responsibility and work of non-Aboriginal people.

Through conversation, reflection and lived experience, these events offer organisations and individuals the chance to be part of that answer, not as observers but as participants in a conversation that matters. For businesses, government agencies and community organisations, attending signals a willingness to sit with difficult truths, to listen, and to play an active role in shaping a more just and equitable Tasmania.

Nipaluna/Hobart
🔸 Sinsa Mansell and Ryk Goddard 936 ABC breakfast radio host will co-chair a panel on 'Truth. Reckoning. Change. Reconciliation in Tasmania: A New Understanding and Approach.' Other panellists include Rodney Gibbins, Cody Gangell-Smith, Alison Overeem and Tim McCormack

Pataway/Burnie
🔸 Dr Ian Sale - in 2025, Barbara and Ian Sale gifted land at Dempster Creek to the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania, returning stewardship to its traditional owners

Launceston on Kanamaluka/River Tamar
🔸 Graeme Gardner - Palawa man and leader in Tasmanian business, governance, energy and sport
🔸 Tom Teniswood - Tom and Jane Teniswood gifted 110 hectares of their East Coast property to the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania in 2019, the first private land return in Tasmania

Our speakers will address the question of where reconciliation needs to go in Tasmania. We invite organisations to bring a team and carry this conversation back into your workplace.

Tables and individual tickets are available. Join us for a morning of truth, reckoning and change. https://events.humanitix.com/host/reconciliation-tasmania

07/05/2026

Speaker announcement: Truth. Reckoning. Change. Reconciliation in Tasmania: A New Understanding and Approach.
Tuesday 2 June | Burnie Arts Centre

This year's National Reconciliation Week breakfast in Pataway/Burnie features a speaker whose story shows what reconciliation looks like when people take meaningful action.

🔸Dr Ian Sale will speak to a personal act of reckoning. In 2025, Barbara and Ian Sale gifted land at Dempster Creek to the Aboriginal Land Council of Tasmania, a decision that shows a commitment to protect the ecological and cultural values of the land, and to return stewardship back to its traditional owners.

Ian's story and perspective will contribute to a broader conversation that is honest, challenging and genuinely important for the future of Tasmania.

These breakfasts are an opportunity for organisations and individuals to be part of the conversation about what's next for reconciliation in Tasmania. Not just as observers, but as participants in something that matters.

This event sold out last year and tickets are already moving. If you haven't booked your table or tickets yet, now is the time.

https://events.humanitix.com/national-reconciliation-week-2026-breakfast-pataway-burnie

Address

Hobart, TAS
7005

Opening Hours

9am - 5pm

Telephone

+61428335535

Website

,

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Reconciliation Tasmania posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Reconciliation Tasmania:

Shortcuts

Share