Reconciliation and First Peoples Engagement

Vision

To foster a community where First Peoples’ voices will be foregrounded in shaping the way that we respect and celebrate
Victoria’s diverse cultural heritage, building a future of truth, justice, and reconciliation.

Our Role and Responsibility

As the state’s premier community-based heritage advocacy organisation, the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) recognises our responsibility to advocate for and demonstrate best practice in managing and conserving Victoria’s cultural heritage.This work must be grounded in truth-telling and historical acceptance, while creating meaningful opportunities for First Peoples to shape how we acknowledge and celebrate Victoria’s past and present.

Call to action section

Wayngurrla: ‘To Make Good’ First Peoples Engagement Plan 2026–2028

The National Trust's inaugural First People's Engagement Plan continues the work of our four previous Reconciliation Action Plans. Titled, Wayngurrla (wayn.gurl.la), meaning “To Make Good” in Wadawurrung language, this new plan introduces a tailored framework for our organisation to embed ambitious yet achievable goals for reconciliation and First Peoples engagement across all areas of our work.

View our First Peoples Engagement Plan
Banner Artwork: Bunurong Cultural Ecology by Adam Magennis

Bunurong Cultural Ecology by Adam Magennis

This art piece is layered, representing a linear and stratigraphic culmination and snapshot of Bunurong Country.

Bunurong Country is the place our of ancestors. I have illustrated a map of our Bunurong landscape in the centre of the art piece.

Surrounding the Bunurong map of Country is an integration of the Bunurong universe containing the cultural ecology of Bunurong Country. This includes marine, coastal and terrestrial ecological habitats. Dreaming tracks flow through all the ecologies within the art piece and is an example how our ancestors connected and mapped our Country. Their spiritual presence is within the landscape and their physical presence is displayed in the archaeological places and sites that they have created.

The medium used to create art piece is soft pastel and chinagraph. I hope you enjoy this art piece showing Bunurong Country and our ancestors’ landscapes.

 

About the Artist

Adam Magennis is a Bunurong artist with a professional career in the arts that reached a 25 year milestone in 2020. Adam’s studio is based in Mornington where he produces finished

art pieces and operates his art consultancy business. He has regular commissions for public art installations and has created various murals and sculptural works for public asset projects. Adam is the Director of Kaptify Art Services, a Professional Art Consultancy and Victorian Indigenous Business

that is based in Mornington and operates throughout Victoria and in the Kulin Nation region area.

Adam’s work, Bunurong Cultural Ecology, was created to interpret Bunurong Country for the reinterpretation of Rippon Lea Estate.

Related content section

Reconciliation Action Plans

Reconciliation Action Plans

2013 - 2024

Reconciliation has been a fundamental pillar of our organisation since 2011, representing one of the most important commitments we have made in our 60+ year history. After four Reconciliation Action Plans, we are excited to continue our meaningful work, continuing to learn and grow as we strengthen existing relationships and create new ones.

View Reconciliation Action Plans
Statement on Reconciliation

Statement on Reconciliation

2020

In light of examples of the destruction of Aboriginal cultural heritage, and continuing threats to recognised sites, the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) reaffirmed its commitment to reconciliation, as we strive to support the rights of Traditional Owners, and build a mutual understanding of our shared heritage.

Read our statement
Return of Ebenezer Mission

Return of Ebenezer Mission

2013

On Thursday 5 December 2013, the National Trust handed over our freehold interests in the Ebenezer Mission, Antwerp to the Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation - Traditional Owners, Registered Aboriginal Party and Native Title Holders.

Read more

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