Reconciliation in a Post-Referendum Environment

Join us for a powerful evening of reflection, dialogue, and truth-telling as we welcome Professor Andrew Gunstone, one of Australia’s leading voices on reconciliation, to discuss his groundbreaking new book, Reflections on the Voice – during and after the campaign. This is the first book to examine the historic 2023 First Nations Voice to Parliament Referendum, unpacking its lessons and what they mean for Australia’s ongoing journey toward reconciliation.

Written for a broad audience, the book explores critical themes including substantive reconciliation, racism, Indigenous rights, truth-telling, community engagement, international frameworks like UNDRIP, allyship, Reconciliation Action Plans, and the enduring call for Voice, Treaty, and Truth.

Keynote: Professor Gunstone, Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor Reconciliation at Federation University, will share insights from his research and leadership at the National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth, and Justice.

In Conversation: Professor Gunstone will then join Dr. Richard Walley OAM, Noongar leader, cultural ambassador, and State Living Treasure, for an engaging dialogue moderated by Donna Oxenham, Yamatji woman, cultural expert, and Manager of Danjoo Koorliny.

Books will be available for sale at the event at a special price of $20 (40% off retail), with all proceeds supporting a First Nations PhD scholarship on truth-telling.

This event is proudly presented in collaboration by Forrest Research Foundation, Danjoo Koorliny, and UWA Public Policy Institute.

Speaker Bios

Professor Andrew Gunstone
Professor Andrew Gunstone is a leading international authority on reconciliation. He is Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor Reconciliation and Professor of Indigenous Studies at Federation University, where he leads all reconciliation matters, including the National Centre for Reconciliation, Truth, and Justice, which he established in 2023 as Australia’s leading academic think-tank on reconciliation.

His research, funded by academic, industry, government, and philanthropic sources, explores areas such as substantive and performative reconciliation, community attitudes, multicultural engagements, national and regional truth-telling, the effectiveness of Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs), place-based reconciliation, and international reconciliation movements.

Professor Gunstone is Co-Chair of Reconciliation Victoria, Foundation Editor of the Journal of Australian Indigenous Issues, an Advisory Board member with the Canadian National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation, and serves on several national and regional reconciliation committees. He regularly advises corporates, industry, government, and academia on reconciliation and RAPs.

Dr. Richard Walley OAM
Dr. Richard Walley OAM is a Noongar man and one of Australia’s leading Aboriginal performers, musicians, and writers. As Director of Aboriginal Productions and Promotions, a family-owned business operating for over 25 years, he delivers cultural awareness and learning programs across Australia.

Richard is a tireless leader in promoting Noongar culture and has worked alongside Australian and international organisations as a cultural consultant and presenter. He is a designated Western Australian State Living Treasure and was named the 2021 WA Senior Australian of the Year. Richard’s lifelong commitment to cultural sharing, performance, and cross-cultural understanding has cemented his place as one of Australia’s most respected Indigenous leaders.

Donna Oxenham
Donna Oxenham is a Yamatji woman and descendant of the Malgana people of Shark Bay in Western Australia. She is the Manager of Danjoo Koorliny, an Aboriginal-led systems change initiative focused on cultural, social, environmental, and economic development leading up to 2029 and beyond.

With over 15 years of experience, Donna has worked extensively across higher education, cultural heritage, and community-led projects. Her expertise includes strategic planning, Aboriginal governance, archival research, and cross-sector collaboration. She has held research and advisory roles at the University of Western Australia and the State Library of WA, and serves on several boards, including Screenwest, VenuesWest, and Royal Life Saving WA. Donna is also a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. A published author and co-curator, her work focuses on Indigenous photographic archives, truth-telling, and the return of cultural materials. She is a passionate advocate for Indigenous knowledge leadership and ethical partnerships.