NAIDOC is celebrating 50 years.
Water Corporations manage a resource considered by Aboriginal people to be one of the most important and sacred – water.
We all need water to survive, and protecting and managing our waterways is just one example of where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and businesses need to work in partnership.
Acknowledgement
Westernport Water acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples as First Nations People and that the land, sea and water are of spiritual, cultural and economic importance. We recognise that we provide services on the traditional lands of the Bunurong Peoples of the Kulin Nation. The Bunurong Peoples have managed the resources on Millowl for thousands of years. We acknowledge them and their continued connection to place, as we go about managing the water resources today.
Welcome to Country Video
Click the image to view our Welcome to Country video, produced by the Bass Coast Reconciliation Network and Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.
Reconciliation at Westernport Water
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement Plan (Nov 2025 – 2028)
Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (Oct 2026 – 2028)
Innovate RAP Highlights 2024-25
Westernport Water is deeply committed to reconciliation and to building strong, respectful, and collaborative relationships with First Nations people and organisations. We have proudly worked alongside Traditional Owners and community partners to turnour reconciliation commitments into action and share some highlights from 2024-25.
Our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Working Group
Our RAP Working Group comprises members of Westernport Water’s workforce and includes representatives from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island community and businesses, such as the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation.
RAP Working Group – Terms of Reference – Approved 10-09-2021
Bass Coast Reconciliation Network
We’re proud to be a member of the Bass Coast Reconciliation Network (BCRN) along with community representatives, the Bunurong Land Council Aboriginal Corporation, Bass Coast South Gippsland Reconciliation Group, and four of Bass Coast’s leading organisations, including Bass Coast Shire Council, Bayside Health (formally Bass Coast Health), Phillip Island Nature Parks and Westernport Water.
The BCRN was established in 2019 and seeks to create a shared future of recognition, opportunity and true partnerships with Traditional Owners and our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
The Network is an action-based group of organisations committed to:
- sharing time, resources, and knowledge
- being a conduit for organisational and community networking
- building organisational and community knowledge and understanding of reconciliation
- driving positive social change
- presenting a united ‘organisational’ approach to reconciliation
Seeking new members
Join our RAP Working Group
We’re inviting Bunurong Traditional Owners and Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community members to be part of Westernport Water’s Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group.
Provide guidance, knowledge and perspectives that contribute to improved outcomes for Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander people.
Positions are paid.
To apply, give us a call on 1300 720 711 or send us an email to communications@westernportwater.com.au
Join the Bass Coast Reconciliation Network
Your voice is important to us!
We invite Bunurong Traditional Owners and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples living in the Bass Coast to join the Bass Coast Reconciliation Network.
Share your knowledge, experience and perspectives to help us make better decisions that contribute to improved outcomes for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities.
We meet four times per year to:
- champion reconciliation and recognition through major local events
- work together to champion social change
- connect and support reconciliation initiatives
- build capacity and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
To apply email: communications@westernportwater.com.au
Download the Expression of Interest
Completed Reconciliation Action Plans
Click on the accordion below to view our completed Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPS)
1. REFLECT Reconciliation Action Plan (May 2018- May 2019)
Our REFLECT RAP was our first Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
It was an agreed plan of how Westernport Water intended to contribute to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and their connection to the land and waterways. This RAP committed to implement specific actions that built respectful relationships and outlined opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Westernport Water was at the beginning of its RAP journey to reconciliation and recognition in 2018, focusing on building the foundations for relationships, respect and opportunities as it developed and implemented the actions identified in its Reflect RAP.
View Westernport Water’s endorsed Reconciliation Action Plan 2018-2019 – Adopted
2. INNOVATE Reconciliation Action Plan (July 2020 – July 2022)
Our second RAP, was an INNOVATE RAP.
An Innovate RAP focuses on developing and strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, engaging staff and stakeholders in reconciliation, developing and piloting innovative strategies to empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Talking, walking, and working together, we aimed to build trust and respectful relationships with Traditional Custodians and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples to enable us to achieve positive social change and support the national reconciliation movement.
Innovate RAP May 2020-2022 (5.5 MB)
3. INNOVATE Reconciliation Action Plan (Oct 2023 – 2025)
Our third RAP, was an INNOVATE RAP.
Reconciliation Australia adopted Westernport Water’s third Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) on 17 Oct. 2023.
This second Innovate RAP enabled Westernport Water to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation based on the core pillars of relationships, respect and opportunities.
2026 Bass Coast Reconciliation Network events
Tunnerminnerwait & Maulboyheenner
Commemorative Event
An annual ceremony with a Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony, guest speakers, and collective remembrance.
Where: Wishart Reserve, Wonthaggi
When: Tuesday 20 January 2026, from 10:00am to 12:00pm.
- Event Flyer and location map – 2026
- Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheenner | Bass Coast Shire website
National
Sorry Day
Community Gathering
You are invited to the 2026 National Sorry Day Community Gathering. All are welcome to this special day of healing.
Where: TBC
When: TBC
National Reconciliation
Week
2026 Reconciliation Week
When: May 27 to June 3
Where: TBC
Various events throughout the Bass Coast Shire.
NAIDOC
Week
2026 Ngangga Festival
When: Sunday 12 July 2026
Where: Berninneit, Cowes
FREE local event, hosted by the Bass Coast Reconciliation Network in partnership with First Nations Community members. Welcome to Country, Smoking Ceremony, First Nations stallholders, art show and live music.
NAIDOC
Week
2026 NAIDOC Week Art Exhibition
When: Opening – Sunday 5 July 2026 / Art show – runs 30 June to 8 August 2026.
Where: ArtSpace Wonthaggi
This annual exhibition brings together more than 15 local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, showcasing works that celebrate culture, storytelling, connection and history.
Past media releases ~ Reconciliation
Click on the accordion below to view media releases we’ve written about past reconciliation topics and events.
2018 Media Releases
- Reconciliation Action Plan Endorsed (Published – 15/06/2018)
2019 Media Releases
- Reconciliation is Grounded in Truth (Published 31/05/2019)
2020 Media Releases
- Reflecting on Reconciliation (Published 08/11/2020)
2021 Media Releases
- Reconciliation takes action (Published 28/05/2021)
- Walk for Reconciliation (Published 24/05/2021)
2022 Media Releases
- Reconciliation Bridge Walk Inspires Next Generation (Published 18/07/2022)
- Celebrating NAIDOC Week (Published – 17/06/2022 – Bass Coast Reconciliation Network – News Release)
2023 Media Releases
- Be a voice for generations – Community Forum (Published – 10/05/2023 – Bass Coast Reconciliation Network – News Release)
- Bass Coast community together for National Sorry Day (Published – 04/05/2023 – Bass Coast Reconciliation Network – News Release
- Commemorative event for Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheenner (Published 13/01/2023 Bass Coast Reconciliation Network – News Release)
2024 Media Release
- Tunnerminnerwait and Maulboyheenner Commemorative Event (Published 02/01/2024 – Bass Coast Reconciliation Network News Release)
- Bass Coast Reconciliation Network seeks new logo to promote reconciliation and recognition efforts in Bass Coast – Westernport Water (Published 02/01/2024 – Bass Coast Reconciliation Network News Release)
- 2024 Annual Report – includes Reconciliation update
2025 Media Release
- Call for Bass Coast to unite for reconciliation (Published – 19/05/2025)
- Bass Coast community event for National Sorry Day to help heal (Published – 19/05/2025 – Bass Coast Reconciliation Network – News Release)
- 2025 Annual Report – includes Reconciliation update
2026 Media Releases
- Community Invited to Commemorate Brave Frontier Resisters in new era of Treaty (published 15/01/2026 – Bass Coast Reconciliation Network – News Release)
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On the road to Reconciliation
Read about how Westernport Water started our Reconciliation journey in 2018.
