National Reconciliation Week 2025: Reflections, insights and inspiring First Nations leaders
Justice & Advocacy
Josii Hargreaves from St John’s College within the University of Queensland, Jennifer Stevens from The Parish of Mudgeeraba and Walters Nkemfack from Reconciliation Queensland reflect on their National Reconciliation Week highlights and what this year’s National Reconciliation Week theme “Bridging Now to Next” means to them
Josii Hargreaves from St John’s College within the University of Queensland, Jennifer Stevens from The Parish of Mudgeeraba and Walters Nkemfack from Reconciliation Queensland reflect on their National Reconciliation Week highlights, what this year’s National Reconciliation Week theme “Bridging Now to Next” means to them, and the First Nations person who most inspires them.
“The person who inspires me most is my great-grandmother, Granny South — a Kamilaroi woman and the first Indigenous midwife in the Tingha region. She was deeply respected and, even today, people recognise her name,” Josii Hargreaves (Josii is holding a photo of her great-grandmother, Granny South, from the early 1900s)
Josii Hargreaves — Kamilaroi woman and student, St John’s College within the University of Queensland
A standout moment for me during this year’s National Reconciliation Week (NRW) was a conversation where the concept of connection to people and place was explained in a way that truly clicked. It was powerful to hear how this connection isn’t just cultural — it carries deep significance for how businesses operate on Indigenous land. When real-life examples were used to show how this understanding can shape respectful and meaningful practice in the workplace, it made me realise just how important it is for all organisations to acknowledge and embed the First Nations peoples’ connection to Country in everything they do.
As a proud Kamilaroi woman, this year’s NRW was a time for reflection and connection. Another highlight for me was seeing the broader community genuinely engage with our stories and history — especially through the events and conversations happening across campus and online.
The 2025 theme, “Bridging Now to Next”, means acknowledging where we’ve come from while taking bold steps toward a better future. It’s about honouring our ancestors’ strength and using that foundation to drive change — in our communities, institutions and relationships. It’s a call to be the bridge ourselves.
The person who inspires me most is my great-grandmother, Granny South — a Kamilaroi woman and the first Indigenous midwife in the Tingha region. She was deeply respected and, even today, people recognise her name. I have a black-and-white photo of her from the early 1900s and knowing what she achieved as both a female First Nations leader in that time makes me incredibly proud. She must have been an extraordinary woman.
“Wiradjuri storyteller and author Aunty Brenda Matthews shares her personal story, culture and deep wisdom in the award-winning documentary The Last Daughter. She does this with humility and grace and through love and forgiveness,” Jennifer Stevens (Jennifer is pictured with Aunty Brenda Matthews at a Women in Film event during the Gold Coast Film Festival in 2023 when Aunty Brenda’s documentary won Best Australian Film)
Jennifer Stevens — Liturgical Assistant, The Parish of Mudgeeraba
This year’s National Reconciliation Week highlight was a quiet conversation I had with someone I met over a coffee at a Hope 25 “Women Finding Hope in Jesus” gathering in Mudgeeraba. During this conversation I mentioned how First Nations women’s business has an important place in our society and how enriching it has been having a little immersion in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. This woman asked me to tell her more and I found her openness and genuine interest so refreshing. I sensed no hidden bias and she listened and kept asking relevant questions. Christian teachings align with First Nations values so closely that I don’t separate them at all now.
It’s always important to move forward (having first reviewed the past), building bridges and encouraging relationships built on respect. There is so much opportunity in our country if First Nations wisdom is viewed and included in more plans for the future. This is what this year’s NRW theme “Bridging Now to Next” means to me.
Wiradjuri storyteller and author Aunty Brenda Matthews shares her personal story, culture and deep wisdom in the award-winning documentary The Last Daughter. She does this with humility and grace and through love and forgiveness. I owe her and her family and friends so much for bringing First Nations culture and knowledge into my family’s life.
“It’s no wonder she is so beloved and respected by her Anglican Church and the wider community given how compassionate, irrepressible and brilliant Aunty Dr Rose is,” Walters Nkemfack (Reconciliation Queensland Co-Chair Walters is pictured with Saibai elder and NATSIAC Executive Member Aunty Dr Rose Elu and Anglican Church Southern Queensland Director of Community Engagement Michelle McDonald at Reconciliation Queensland’s 25th anniversary gala dinner on Thursday, 22 May 2025
Walters Nkemfack — Non-Indigenous Co-Chair, Reconciliation Queensland
The highlight of National Reconciliation Week for me this year was in the capacity of my new role as Non-Indigenous Co-Chair of Reconciliation Queensland. The annual National Reconciliation Week dinner this year commemorated 25 years since Reconciliation Queensland Inc started. As co-chair I had the honour of speaking at this gala dinner event. I was privileged to speak about Reconciliation Queensland’s exciting five-year strategic plan and invite those present, including representatives from the Anglican Church Southern Queensland, to support our plan.
I was proud to work closely with the Anglican Church Southern Queensland during the referendum. While the referendum result was disheartening, particularly in Queensland, which had the highest “no” vote in the country, 40 per cent of Australian voters were in favour of constitutional recognition through the Voice. So, for me “Bridging Now to Next” is about the 40 per cent of allies who are on one side of the bridge inviting the other 60 per cent to join us. A just Australia, where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples are reconciled, will take time, resources and commitment.
I continue to be inspired by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ resilience, especially in the way they keep their stories and cultures alive in the midst of resistance at best and hostilities at worst. So, there are many First Nations people who inspire me. At the moment I am especially inspired by Aunty Dr Rose Elu, who has been fighting tirelessly for decades to save her low-lying island of Saibai from climate inaction. She is currently taking on the Commonwealth Government in a related class action. It’s no wonder she is so beloved and respected by her Anglican Church and the wider community given how compassionate, irrepressible and brilliant Aunty Dr Rose is.
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