Reconciliation in action

Leanne Woods is Melville’s First Nations Engagement Coordinator. Leanne has previously worked as a lecturer and employment consultant and been a board member for key Aboriginal organisations in both Victoria and WA.

I feel like I make a difference here, I have lots of allies across the staff, and getting more all the time. My team has recently expanded too, so we are taking on more projects. In 2023, we will continue the Place Names project, looking at revealing the Aboriginal names of multiple sites in Melville. This work is such a journey and a learning.

Luckily, we are working on this with Moodjar Consultancy and the Community Arts Network (CAN), so we have a committed team on the job. We will also continue the Let’s Talk About Racism workshops which have gained momentum over the last couple of years and are now reaching out well beyond Melville. Then there’s the next Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), implementing the Cultural Learning Strategy and plenty more. It’s going to be another big year.

I’ve slowly learnt over the years to try and not carry the burden of other people’s issues. I can talk about it and try and help but I can’t take on responsibility for everyone else’s problems. I need to look after me too, so I can help look after others. You’ve got to remember to play, have fun, be in nature.

I used to resist change when I was younger but now I know we live in a world of constant change. Bring it on I say. In the words of my hero Mr Rob Riley, “You can’t be wrong if you are right, and you don’t stop fighting for justice simply because those around you don’t like it. You just keep fighting.”

To find out more about the great work Leanne and her team do, visit melvillecity.com.au/our-community/reconciliation