New South Wales Reconciliation Council (NSWRC)

The New South Wales Reconciliation Council (NSWRC) is the peak representative body for reconciliation in NSW. The Council is made up of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians working through a range of groups and organisations to promote united communities and to address the ‘unfinished business’ of reconciliation – recognition of rights, promotion of economic independence and social justice for Indigenous people.

NSWRC has been working towards ‘a reconciled Australia’ since its inception believing strongly that relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people at the community level have a strong bearing on Indigenous peoples’ socio-economic status, health, culture and well-being. For this reason, the Council advocates a process of reconciliation through a sharing of cultures and an increase in mutual understanding through the ‘promotion of equitable and just communities that acknowledge and respect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and values’.

NSWRC believes that the reconciliation process can be advanced by building a peoples movement; raising awareness and understanding; and promoting and supporting social justice, equity and Human Rights. For the life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people to be reduced, Indigenous peoples’ culture (customs, practices, perspectives, values, beliefs) and position as the First Peoples of Australia must be recognised, respected and valued.

NSWRC works with reconciliation councils in other states, government agencies and other organisations to continue the work of the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation (1991-2000). The NSW Reconciliation Council supports a network of over 60 reconciliation groups to advance reconciliation and Indigenous social justice in their regions.

Our Logo

The design features a sun motif, and represents a bright future - a reconciled future.

The circular radiating lines represent years or time (like the rings of a tree) and acknowledge the process and people that will have over time contributed to a reconciled Australia.

With a rising sun comes a new beginning or new start, and this representation draws a visual connection with 2008’s Reconciliation Week theme “Sorry: A new beginning”.

The bold colours used represent strength, and speci!cally the strength in unity (which references the Council’s vision of unity) “A united Australia which respects this land of ours, values the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander heritage, and provides justice and equity for all” by the earthy tone of the red which represents the land we live on, and the sun icon itself which we all live under and watch rise every day.. A new dawn, a new day, a new beginning.

The NSW Reconciliation Council office is co-located with Tranby Aboriginal Co-Operative College at 11-13 Mansfield Street, Glebe 2037. The Council currently employs 2.5 staff : a Chief Executive Officer, a Project Manager and an Administrative Officer. To contact us call (02) 9562 6355 or email: nswrc@nswreconciliation.org.au. You can also fax the NSWRC office on (02) 8456 5906.

About Us