Reconciliation Week 2026: Living “All In” Through Culture, Connection and Action

Reconciliation Week 2026 saw Bandu deliver a diverse program of engagements across schools, universities, community settings, and corporate partners under this year’s theme, All In.

The week reflected a shift from awareness to action, with participants engaging in cultural learning, meaningful dialogue, and shared reflection on their role in reconciliation. Through smoking ceremonies, dance, workshops, assemblies, and panel discussions, each engagement helped strengthen connections between culture, identity, and community.

St Aloysius’ College

The Reconciliation Week Whole-School Assembly at St Aloysius’ College, Milsons Point, was the standout engagement of NRW 2026 and a key highlight of Bandu’s week. Built around the All In theme, the event brought the entire school community together for a shared experience of culture, conversation, and reflection.

The morning featured a Bandu-led yarning circle panel, moderated by Bandu Co-Founder Aidan Porter, with around five participants engaging in an open discussion on culture, identity, and lived experience. This was followed by a cultural dance element, where students actively participated alongside Bandu’s crew, bringing strong energy and engagement that reflected the All In theme in practice. The assembly concluded with a traditional smoking ceremony, providing a grounding and respectful close to the program

Buildcorp

At Buildcorp, a key highlight was the strength of ongoing relationships within the program, particularly seeing Bandu participant Mackai connect with staff he has engaged with across multiple touch points over the years.

Participants also embraced their “homework” task of learning the names and stories of the Country they work on, sparking reflection and accountability that extended beyond the session itself. The willingness of staff to engage deeply and continue learning demonstrated a strong commitment to reconciliation in practice, not just principle.

JLL

In Sydney, Bandu's engagement with JLL took the form of a panel discussion, joined by Bandu Co-Founder Ed Morgan and attended by Alice Hann and Isaiah Ahsee. Built around the All In theme, the panel created an open, conversational space for JLL staff to hear directly about culture, identity, and lived experience for First Nations Peoples within corporate Australia

A strength of the session was the range of voices on the panel, with all members each bringing their own perspective and story to the conversation. The willingness of JLL staff to engage with the discussion reflected the All In theme in practice, with reconciliation framed as a shared responsibility built through listening, learning, and genuine connection.

Bandu's engagement with JLL Perth marked the primary interstate moment of NRW 2026, with Bandu Co-Founder Aidan Porter travelling to the firm's Perth office to connect with their Western Australian team. Carrying the All In theme beyond Sydney, the session was a reminder that reconciliation is a national conversation and one Bandu was proud to take across the country.

Led by Aidan and JLL’s Managing Director of WA, Angelo Amara, the engagement took shape as an open discussion, with the JLL team leaning into questions and conversation about Bandu's work and approach. A key thread throughout was the developing partnership between Bandu and JLL, with the Perth session helping to lay the foundations for an ongoing relationship grounded in genuine connection and shared commitment to action.

Knight Frank

Bandu's engagement with Knight Frank brought the All In theme to life through a yarning circle panel hosted online and streamed to their network. Moderated in an open, conversational format, the panel created space for genuine dialogue on culture, identity, and lived experience, with thoughtful questions prepared by the Knight Frank team in the lead-up to the event.

A highlight of the engagement was the involvement of Katherine Zerounian, Principal of Redfern Jarjums College and Shauna, one of their amazing parents who shared their own perspectives alongside staff. The willingness of Knight Frank staff to lean into the conversation, and the cross-generational exchange between students and professionals, reflected the spirit of All In: reconciliation as a shared responsibility built through listening, learning, and connection.

Charter Hall

Charter Hall’s engagement was defined by collaboration, curiosity, and stepping outside comfort zones. Participants and staff worked together on shared problem-solving activities that encouraged connection across age, experience, and role, reinforcing the value of collective learning. A highlight of the day was the informal morning tea conversations, where meaningful dialogue developed between staff and students in a relaxed environment, continuing well beyond the structured program.

Steadfast

Bandu's Reconciliation Week involvement with Steadfast Group centred on a moment of shared reflection rather than delivery, attending the unveiling of Steadfast's new reconciliation artwork, Binbe Buta – Better Together, created by Dunghutti and Gungulu artist Jye Brown. The piece, which speaks to Steadfast's "Together" values and the collaborative spirit underpinning their RAP, anchored an event held in the spirit of the All In theme.

It was an honour to witness Bandu participant Cayden speak about the work and what it represented, alongside reflections from Steadfast's new RAP Chair, Sean Gordon AM. Standing among Steadfast's people and fellow RAP partners, the engagement was a reminder that reconciliation is built not only through programs and action, but through the shared moments where culture, story, and commitment are honoured together.

Insight

At Insight, Bandu delivered a whole-of-office presentation led by Bandu Co-Founder Ed Morgan, introducing staff to Bandu's work, model, and approach to reconciliation. Open to the wider team, the session created a shared starting point for staff across the office to engage with the All In theme and consider their own role in reconciliation.

The presentation was followed by a Q&A with Ed and Bandu Co-Founder Aidan Porter, opening up space for staff to ask questions and dig deeper. A key thread through the engagement was the developing partnership between Bandu and Insight, with the session laying the groundwork for an ongoing relationship grounded in genuine commitment and shared action.

St Joseph's College

The St Joseph's College engagement highlighted the strength and continued growth of the school's Indigenous program.

A particular highlight was the cultural dance performance, which showcased the confidence, pride, and connection to culture being fostered among students. The event also reflected the strong relationships between current students and Old Boys, demonstrating how the program continues to create a lasting sense of community, mentorship, and belonging across generations.