Renowned journalist and author Stan Grant is set to deliver the keynote address at this week's fourth Illawarra Reconciliation and Truth Telling Conference.
Mr Grant will be among a host of speakers and presenters at the two-day conference, starting Thursday, at Kembla Grange, which provides guidance for education providers to develop deeper understanding of Indigenous culture and develop practical policies to strengthen relationships between Aboriginal people and the broader community.
A proud Wiradjuri, Kamilaroi and Dharawal man, Mr Grant is a three-time Walkley award winner as well as being recognised with a wide range of other national and international journalism honours.
Wollongong lord mayor Tania Brown said securing Mr Grant as the event's keynote speaker provided an "invaluable opportunity" to hear from the acclaimed author and academic, and one of Australia's foremost philosophical thinkers and speakers.
"To have someone like Stan Grant, one of the country's most passionate and compelling voices for Reconciliation, be part of this year's conference is an invaluable opportunity, and one we're grateful to be able to facilitate," Councillor Brown said.
The event sees Wollongong City Council collaborate with a host of partner agencies to support staff in building cultural awareness and competence within their organisation.
It aligns with the priorities of Council's own Reconciliation Action Plan, which outlines a responsibility to strengthen relationships with partnered organisations and work to improve the experiences of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their communities.
"Our Reconciliation Action Plan was a collaborative process developed through extensive positive engagement with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities," Wollongong Council general manager Greg Doyle said.
"It's important to strengthen those existing relationships through our RAP delivery but also provide opportunities for other organisations and the broader community to develop these valuable relationships in a way that deepens understanding of Aboriginal cultures and histories.
"There are many organisations in our community on their own Reconciliation journey, and the Reconciliation and Truth Telling Conference provides the guidance and support to put their goals into action."
Mr Grant will be among a host of speakers, panel members and local Elders who will share their stories across the two-day conference which will also include facilitated group discussions, yarning circles and cultural dance from local school students.
Under the theme 'Walking together - a journey towards appreciation, respect and action,' the fourth Reconciliation and Truth Telling Conference will be held from 8-9 May at the Grange Golf Course, Kembla Grange.
