A blue textured background with white dots features the words truth telling in playful white letters and We will never abandon our dream of walking together in smaller font below.

Truth-Telling Program

Walyalup Bidi | Fremantle’s Journey

This video shares part of Fremantle’s journey of truth-telling and reconciliation.

Hear from Senior Aboriginal Engagement Officer Brendan Moore as he talks about the history of Walyalup/Fremantle and the importance of understanding the past.

It’s part of the City’s ongoing work to listen, learn and build stronger relationships with the community.

A person stands on a sandy beach speaking into a microphone, facing a group of seated people. Smoke rises from a container with leaves burning. Trees and blue sky are in the background.

The Truth-Telling Program

As part of our commitment to the Uluru Statement from the Heart, the City of Fremantle’s Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan 2024-2027, includes a new pillar Truth-Telling.

The City of Fremantle’s Truth-Telling program is an inclusive reconciliation program sitting at the crossroads of arts, culture and community development.

The program aims to give the community the opportunity to understand and acknowledge the truth about Walyalup/Fremantle’s past so that we can walk together towards a better future.

The City has and will continue to draw upon its internal resources as well as collaborate with external organisations and community members to develop the program.

The program is designed for mass participation and aims to open people’s minds to the cultural history that exists in Walyalup/Fremantle by recognising and understanding First Nations people’s connection to country and contribution to Fremantle’s development.

The program was launched with a smoking ceremony at Manjaree | Bathers Beach on Sunday 24 March, 2024.

Attendees heard from local Elders, guest speakers, joined weaving circles, went on cultural tours and shared their thoughts on how they’d like to learn about the truth of our shared history.

The City’s RAP was adopted by Council and endorsed by Reconciliation Australia. The vision for reconciliation is to create an inclusive, caring community where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience the same life outcomes as other Australians, and where their special place in our nation and our City is recognised. 

It includes:

  • 17 actions

  • 95 measurable outcomes

  • A dedicated focus on truth-telling

The RAP focuses on:

  • Relationships

  • Respect

  • Opportunities

  • Governance

  • Truth-telling

View the Walyalup Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan 2024-27

“Truth-Telling is about an active process of building new relationships and understanding. It is about truth-doing”

Community Truth-telling Pathways – Reconciliation Australia

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What is Truth-Telling?

Truth-Telling is a respectful, inclusive, and ongoing process that acknowledges the true history of Australia, challenges myths such as terra nullius, and recognises the cultural strength, resilience, and contributions of First Nations peoples. It fosters healing, reconciliation, and stronger relationships through deep listening, learning, and meaningful action.

Truth-telling helps our community to connect, listen and learn about First Nation culture and history, create opportunity for a deeper understanding of the historical facts and ongoing impacts of colonisation, and listen to the lived experiences and wisdom of First Nations people.

It encourages reflection on reconciliation and supports the building of stronger, more connected relationships across Walyalup/Fremantle and beyond.

Our vision for reconciliation is to create an inclusive, caring community where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience the same life outcomes as other Australians, and where their special place in our nation and our City is recognised.

Truth-Telling events

A group of people sitting on green chairs outdoors, listening to a speaker at an event. String lights hang above, and there is greenery and rustic buildings in the background.

Backyard Truth-Telling Series

Backyard Truth-Telling brings community members together in intimate backyard settings across Walyalup/Fremantle to share lived experiences, reflect on our shared history, and foster deeper understanding through truth-listening.

Stories covered include topics such as the Stolen Generations, experiences of racism, cultural identity and other lived experiences, giving audiences an opportunity to listen, learn and connect.

Following the powerful impact of the 2024 series, the City of Fremantle, in collaboration with the Centre for Stories, delivered the Backyard Truth-Telling Series in May 2026.

View 2024 series
A large crowd of people sits on colorful bean bags and blankets outdoors, watching an event in a park-like setting with trees, string lights, and buildings in the background at dusk.

FOCUS: First Nation Films

FOCUS: First Nation Films launched in 2025 as part of the City of Fremantle’s Truth‑Telling Program.

It is held over two Birak nights during the January 26 long weekend at the Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre (WFAC). The event is free and open to all.

This community gathering uses film, music and conversation to support truth‑listening and shared learning. It features short and feature‑length films by First Nations filmmakers that explore Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture, identity and resilience.

A First Nations edition of WFAC’s Summer Sunday Music program is also presented during the long weekend. This music event highlights First Nations artists and adds another way for the community to come together, celebrate culture and support reconciliation.

Together, these programs are part of the City’s ongoing work to acknowledge history, learn from truth and strengthen community relationships.

Learn more

“Our FOCUS Films program is a very important component of the truth telling pillar in our RAP. The films are selected for their content and ability to engage audiences with the stories and truths of our national history and identity.”

 

Brendan Moore, City of Fremantle Senior Aboriginal Engagement Officer

A large audience sits outdoors on chairs facing a stage with a curved canopy. A person speaks at a podium, and a large screen behind them displays “The Walyalup Oration.” The area is shaded by trees and greenery.

Walyalup Oration

In the Walyalup Oration, leading thinkers in Indigenous/colonial relations share insights on creating a fairer, (re)conciled, and more prosperous future for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.

Acclaimed author and human rights advocate Thomas Mayo delivered a powerful Walyalup Oration, a centrepiece of the FOCUS: First Nation Films festival held at Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre earlier this year.

“The Truth-Telling program is critical as Australia continues to strive to embrace all Australians, regardless of origin, race or creed. I’m honoured to be part of this inaugural speaker series and applaud the City for its commitment to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. Every time I visit Walyalup, the warmth and hospitality of mob and the community is second to none.” – Thomas Mayo

“I talk about the urgent changes that need to happen in Australia to address the racism and discrimination against First Nations people. I include how the media and tech companies are culpable, and oligarchs are undermining our democracy for wealth and power. We need to be aware, we need to call for protections for people and country, we need to act now.” – Thomas Mayo

Listen to Thomas Mayo's 2026 Walyalup Oration

Truth-telling resources

The following external resources are provided for learning and reference and may contain culturally sensitive material.
Links reviewed: January 2026.

 

 

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Gold and black badge reading “Fremantle, WA Gold Australia’s Top Tourism Town Awards 2025 Winner,” with a gold map pin and white star on the left side.

The City of Fremantle acknowledges the Whadjuk people as the Traditional Owners of the Fremantle/Walyalup area and we recognise their cultural and heritage beliefs are still important today.

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