City of Fremantle
Coastal Charm
The City of Fremantle in consultation with its RAP group, and larger community, has developed a Truth-Telling program focused on the Truth aspect of the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
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
Truth-telling helps our community learn about local Aboriginal history, understand the impacts of colonisation, and listen to the lived experiences of First Nations people.
It encourages reflection on reconciliation and supports the building of stronger, more connected relationships across Walyalup/Fremantle.
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.
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, is proud to announce the return of the Backyard Truth-Telling Series on the 9th, 16th and 23rd of May 2026.
If you’d like to have a chat with us about the program please feel free to contact the Centre for Stories at info@centreforstories.com or call (08) 9328 1443.
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.
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.“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
