Local Aboriginal elders gathered today to witness the launch of Council's inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
The document sets out actions and commitments to strengthen relationships, demonstrate respect and provide opportunities for Council to work more collaboratively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Held at the Shoalhaven Regional Gallery in Nowra this afternoon, the RAP launch event brought together civic and community leaders.
"The launch of our inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan is a significant milestone for Council. We recognise that we have work to do, and this document gives us the important foundations we need to prepare our reconciliation initiatives moving forward," said Acting CEO James Ruprai.
"Our RAP sets out 49 actions to be delivered by individual staff and teams right across the organisation, and these actions are designed to embed reconciliation into our everyday practices to help drive positive change," Mr Ruprai said.
"I'm incredibly proud to be leading the organisation as we begin to implement these actions over the next 12 months," he said.
Today's launch event coincided with National Reconciliation Week and Deputy Mayor Peter Wilkins said this year's theme Bridging Now to Next was fitting.
"The theme reminds us of the importance of the ongoing connection between past, present and future and urges us to look ahead," Mr Wilkins said.
"In developing this plan we've taken the time to reflect on our past and have made the firm commitment to foster a more united and respectful future," he said.
"I look forward to working with my fellow elected representatives and with Council staff to drive the actions set out in this plan," he said.
A communal painting that was the vision of local Aboriginal artist, Jaz Corr, has been a dominate feature of the RAP.
The artwork Woven serves as a powerful symbol of Aboriginal identity and is currently on exhibition at the Gallery alongside several other First Nations Exhibitions.
Woven was also featured during the launch event.
Development of the RAP was guided by the Yarning Group who generously shared their cultural awareness and knowledge throughout the process.
They also recorded the stories of local Elders and the full audio recordings are available for listening on Council's Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) web page and on the South Coast Cooperative Libraries catalogue.
The inaugural Reflect RAP was endorsed by Reconciliation Australia in February 2025 before being adopted by Shoalhaven City Council in March 2025.
(Image: Deputy Mayor Peter Wilkins, Jaz Corr, Uncle Tom Moore & Acting CEO James Ruprai).
