Reconciliation Australia's Board of Directors and Executive held their August meeting on Phillip Island where they were hosted by Philiip Island Nature Parks and the Bass Coast Reconciliation Network.

Reconciliation Australia is an independent not-for-profit organisation and the lead body for reconciliation in Australia. The organisation works to promote and facilitate reconciliation between the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the wider Australian community by building relationships, respect and trust. 

The Bass Coast Reconciliation Network consists of Phillip Island Nature Parks, Western Port Water, Bass Coast Shire Council, Bass Coast Health, MYLI - My Community Library, members from the First Nations community, and the Bass Coast South Gippsland Reconciliation Group.

The group was Welcomed to Country by Bunurong Elder, Mark Brown, in a Smoking ceremony.

The Board was interested to learn about the Bass Coast Reconciliation Network as a place-based model for reconciliation action and met with representatives at the Penguin Parade Visitor Centre.

There were great discussions about how the Reconciliation Action Plan Framework benefits organisations and communities in working together, the success of the Bass Coast Reconciliation Network in driving recognition and reconciliation across the region, and how a place-based reconciliation model works.

The Board enjoyed the Penguin Parade in the evening on Thursday August 22 and held their Board meeting at the Nobbies Centre on Friday.

The Nature Parks will launch the Reconciliation Action Plan (Stretch) June 2024-2027 on Wednesday September 25.