The Office of Indigenous Strategy and Engagement proudly hosted the greatly anticipated 2025 RAP Conference from Wednesday 21 to Friday 23 May, bringing together more than 600 participants both online and in person.
This impressive turnout not only underlines the growing interest in reconciliation and cultural learning at Flinders University, but also highlights the power of collective engagement in furthering our commitment to the University’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan.
Co-Chairs of the University’s RAP Oversight Committee, Professor Simone Ulalka Tur, Pro Vice Chancellor (Indigenous), and Professor Jonathan Craig, Vice President and Executive Dean of the College of Medicine and Public Health, set the tone for what was to become a rich and deeply meaningful event.
Participants were moved by a compelling presentation from Kirstie Parker as she reflected on the past few years of highs, moments of real progress in voices rising louder for justice, in stronger allyship and in more open conversations about race and truth-telling.
Kirstie delivered the hard truths that confronted how far we still have to go as a nation in reckoning with our history and the work ahead post Referendum, a call to action in reminding all of us that reconciliation can’t be symbolic or seasonal; it has to be lived, every day, in every institution, in every conversation.
Over the following days, the conference continued to deliver moments of cultural significance and critical reflection, with guest speakers from Reconciliation SA and interactive workshops offering Kaurna language teachings. Ending on a high note with a Community BBQ hosted by the Yungkurrinthi team in Inparrila, attendees gathered under the sunny autumn sky for a Smoking Ceremony and were treated to a moving performance by the award-winning Iwiri Choir—an uplifting and soulful end to a transformative week.
The success of this year’s RAP Conference is a testament to the dedication of our staff, students, and community partners in advancing reconciliation through knowledge, dialogue, and shared experience. As we reflect on the stories shared and connections made, it is clear that the spirit of reconciliation is alive and growing stronger within our university community.
Consultation for the next iteration of the University’s RAP is currently underway, with discussion continuing over the coming months so be sure to look out for our launch in 2026!
