At Young Academics Hoxton Park, reconciliation isn’t just a concept, but a commitment woven into the everyday experiences of children, families, and educators. Over the past year, Hoxton Park has taken purposeful steps toward developing a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), with the goal of creating a culturally safe, inclusive, and deeply respectful learning environment.
This is the story of how that journey began and where it’s headed next.
When our Centre Manager joined the Hoxton Park team just over a year ago, one of her first priorities was to update the service philosophy. It was an opportunity to authentically reflect our values and invite our families to shape a shared vision.
Through that process, it became clear that embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in meaningful, respectful ways wasn’t just important, it was essential. That realisation became the spark that ignited our reconciliation journey.
The first in service visit with Muru Mittigar was a powerful experience that left a lasting impact on our community. But it also prompted a critical reflection: how could we move beyond single-day celebrations or acknowledgements tied to the calendar?
That reflection led to a bold decision, for Hoxton park to develop their own Reconciliation Action Plan. In early conversations with their senior leadership team and a group of passionate educators, they made one thing clear: their RAP would not be performative. It would be purposeful. This was about lasting change.
Learning from Community and Culture
With guidance from local Indigenous families and organisations within the Liverpool City Council, the team began to shape a more informed and inclusive approach. A family member from the centre generously shared resources and ideas that helped deepen our perspective.
The ongoing relationship with Muru Mittigar has been instrumental, and they’ve welcomed the voices of community leaders, including the Mayor of Liverpool and Anne Stanley MP, into the conversation. Hoxton has also connected with an Indigenous mentor from the Liverpool area, who now walks alongside us on this journey, offering knowledge, wisdom, and connection to culture.
Building the RAP
The creation of the RAP wasn’t rushed. Every step was documented, every decision grounded in genuine reflection. They began by developing a centre-wide vision for reconciliation, shaped through consultation with families, educators, and community members.
The centre looked closely at learning practices and found opportunities to respectfully incorporate Dharug (Kuri) language, stories, and perspectives. They challenged themselves to think beyond the surface, to ensure our practices weren’t symbolic, but embedded with meaning.
For our Centre Manager, this journey has been transformative. “It has deepened my understanding, challenged me to reflect more, and reinforced the importance of walking alongside our community. Reconciliation isn’t something we do for appearances but something we live out in our relationships, our practices, and our commitment to inclusion.”
Where to Next?
While the RAP has given Hoxton Park a powerful foundation, the journey is far from over. They’re now focused on:
- Strengthening everyday cultural practices in our curriculum
- Offering meaningful professional development to our educators
- Establishing long-term relationships with local Elders and mentors
- Creating spaces where reconciliation is lived and felt by every child, family, and team member
