As National Reconciliation Week comes to a close, we reflect on the past week of teaching, learning, and recognition at WA Cricket.
Each year from May 27 to June 3 the Nation commemorates significant milestones in the reconciliation journey – the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision.
The 2023 theme for the week is Be A Voice For Generations which WA Cricket takes seriously, providing external and internal events to assist with education from Elders to younger generations.
WA Cricket Inclusion and Aboriginal Cricket Project Officer Michael Bailey says education will go a long way to Australia reconciling.
“Reconciliation week is an opportunity for everyone to come together and learn and educate themselves on the shared history and culture of the country,” Bailey said.
WA Cricket Aboriginal Specialist Adam Cockie talks about the importance of Aboriginal culture to the organisation.
“We have an Aboriginal Advisory Committee that allows us to grab advice on how we do things in the organisation,” Cockie said.
“We just established our RAP (Reconciliation Action Plan) last year and we had the whole organisation coming together. This is allowing us to have greater educational pieces towards National Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC week.”
WA Cricket Aboriginal programs are also vital in engaging communities with the sport.
“We have Deadly Cricket, Leadership Programs, and the Kambarang Youth Carnival, and it’s all about trying to engage the youth and the community, using cricket as the vehicle,” Bailey said.
“I’ve noticed since working here that it is clear everyone is very interested in learning about the history and culture of Aboriginal people and they’re not afraid to ask questions.”
WA Cricket staff have been involved in several events across the week, including an all-staff barefoot circle, Q&A with WA Cricket’s Aboriginal Advisory Committee’s Co-Chair Colleen Haywood, and a Walk for Reconciliation from the WACA ground to Heirisson Island.
“National Reconcilation Week is pretty important as it allows us to share the great Aboriginal history with generations coming through,” Cockie said.
“It allows us to also link with our organization by providing education and internal and external events.”
