Swinburne takes bold next step with truth telling, reconciliation and Treaty

Building on over a decade of impactful reconciliation work, Swinburne will develop a Reconciliation and Truth Telling Plan and a formal Treaty – the first of its kind between a university and a Traditional Owner group in Victoria.

“This new direction represents an evolution of our reconciliation work,” says Professor John Evans, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Indigenous Engagement. 

“We will continue to honour and implement our existing RAP commitments while deepening our local engagement with Wurundjeri Elders and communities.”

As part of this renewed focus, the university will prioritise its relationship with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation and pursue a formal Treaty. This marks a significant shift in Swinburne’s approach to reconciliation: placing local relationships at the centre. 
 
"This Treaty represents a milestone not only for our university, but for higher education in Victoria. By formally recognising the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung as Traditional Owners and prioritising a relationship grounded in respect and accountability, we are taking a vital step in rethinking what reconciliation means. It's not symbolic, it's structural, local and long overdue," says Professor Evans.

This next step in reconciliation was informed by the Yoorrook Justice Commission, which calls on Victorian institutions, including universities, to take a more active role in truth telling and Treaty. Guided by Yoorrook, the university will examine its own history to encourage accountability, open dialogue and collective learning.

Over the past decade, Swinburne has delivered three Reconciliation Action Plans, including two at the highest Elevate level under Reconciliation Australia. 

These efforts have led to landmark achievements, including the establishment of the Moondani Toombadool Centre (MTC), a more than four-fold increase in Indigenous student enrolments, the introduction of Indigenous Learning Circles across all three campuses, Australia’s first Indigenous Student Charter, and the development of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Procurement Strategy that directed millions of dollars to Indigenous-owned businesses.  

These results reflect a deep and sustained commitment to Indigenous empowerment and equity.

Under the new Reconciliation and Truth Telling Plan and Treaty, Swinburne will continue to strengthen reconciliation initiatives to promote economic participation, skills development and cultural recognition through practical, community-led approaches.

In 2024, Indigenous Business Action Plans (IBAPs) were created by each division and School within Swinburne in collaboration with the Moondani Toombadool Centre. The IBAPs allow staff to drive change through tailored actions that are unique to the diverse areas of the university. Each area’s IBAP provides individualised priorities and opportunities for reconciliation.

The Moondani Vocational Centre of Excellence is designed to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals wanting to transition into new career pathways or enhance their professional skills through vocational education and training.  

"By embedding cultural strength into vocational pathways, we are supporting meaningful employment outcomes and honouring the knowledge systems that have shaped this land for tens of thousands of years," says Professor Evans.

The Indigenous Building Co-Fab initiative tackles housing affordability and sustainability by creating innovative pathways to upskilling communities themselves. This groundbreaking project seeks to revolutionise the world of building construction by incorporating cutting-edge technologies and locally sourced materials into sustainable homes, co-built by local communities.

“The Indigenous Building Co-Fab is a radical reimagining of construction, particularly for remote and regional communities. The living laboratory will adopt a bottom-up approach, involving direct participation from culturally and economically diverse groups,” says Professor Evans. 

“It’s not just a construction project; it's a catalyst for transformative change, aiming to redefine the future of Indigenous housing in Australia.” 

Together with Wurundjeri Elders and Indigenous partners, Swinburne is setting a new benchmark for reconciliation in higher education, one that places truth telling and Treaty at the centre of its identity and actions.