National Reconciliation Week 2026
The theme for 2026 National Reconciliation Week – ‘All In’ – is a call for everyone to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation, not only during this week but every single day. At Lady Gowrie Tasmania, National Reconciliation Week is a time to:
Celebrate the work we do with children every day to embed and strengthen their understanding of diverse cultures and identities; and
Reflect on our own individual journey and understanding of reconciliation.
Across our services and programs during this week and every day, we share and broaden our understanding of Tasmanian aboriginal history, culture, art, storytelling, and connection to Country.
From the many meaningful children’s play and learning experiences; to sharing deeply reflective daily questions within our teams; to reading the story of In the Kelp Forest together in every service; to creating reflective ‘Reconciliation Trees’; to attending reconciliation breakfasts – we certainly embraced and celebrated this important week in LGT’s calendar. Educators from our West Launceston Preschool share their 2026 National Reconciliation Week reflection below:
‘At West Launceston Preschool, children engaged in a range of hands-on experiences during National Reconciliation Week designed to deepen their understanding of reconciliation and what being ‘All In’ means to us as a learning community.
Through play and discussion, children explored small world environments featuring Australian animals and natural resources, encouraging conversations about Country and our connection to the land. Children also created traditional-inspired Gunya structures for their dolls using natural materials, strengthening their understanding of traditional living spaces and connection to Country.
We explored the book In the Kelp Forest, written and illustrated by Tasmanian Aboriginal artists and authors. Children closely examined the illustrations and then extended their learning through hands-on investigation of real sea creatures including sea horses, sea urchins, sea anemones, and coral. This led to rich conversations about marine environments and traditional knowledge, including exploring kelp baskets and their traditional uses.
Children also created bracelets using the colours of the Aboriginal flag, supporting discussions about meaning and symbolism. We reflected on what ‘All In’ meant to us, with children sharing ideas such as ‘be fair’, ‘share and be kind’ and ‘everyone belongs’, highlighting their growing understanding of inclusion and community values.
Together, we created a ‘sea of hearts’, symbolising respect, connection, and belonging. Through these experiences, children were supported to develop an appreciation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to understand that reconciliation is something we actively contribute to through everyday actions, relationships, and shared experiences.’
