Response to Woolworths’ Dan Murphy’s Darwin announcement

Reconciliation Australia welcomes Woolworths’ statement this morning that it will not proceed with the Dan Murphy’s development in response to the findings of the Independent Panel Review.

We are encouraged that Woolworths has taken responsibility for its lack of stakeholder engagement with a range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and organisations and that it has committed to working better with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples going forward.

Respectful relationships built on trust are at the heart of reconciliation.

We expect organisations with Reconciliation Action Plans (RAPs) to deliver on their commitments and live up to the intent of their plan.  Leadership is an integral part of a successful RAP and the leadership shown here by the Woolworths Board and CEO is commendable.

We look forward to Woolworths’ response addressing the full recommendations of the report.

Reconciliation Australia also commends the leadership and determination shown by many people and organisations in Darwin who have fought this development to keep their communities and their people safe.

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Paul House with gum leaves and smoke
Paul Girrawah House

Paul Girrawah House has multiple First Nation ancestries from the South-East Canberra region, including the Ngambri-Ngurmal (Walgalu), Pajong (Gundungurra), Wallabollooa (Ngunnawal) and Erambie/Brungle (Wiradyuri) family groups.

Paul acknowledges his diverse First Nation history, he particularly identifies as a descendant of Onyong aka Jindoomang from Weereewaa (Lake George) and Henry ‘Black Harry’ Williams from Namadgi who were both multilingual, essentially Walgalu-Ngunnawal-Wiradjuri speaking warriors and Ngunnawal–Wallaballooa man William Lane aka ‘Billy the Bull’ - Murrjinille.

Paul was born at the old Canberra hospital in the centre of his ancestral country and strongly acknowledges his First Nation matriarch ancestors, in particular his mother Dr Aunty Matilda House-Williams and grandmother, Ms Pearl Simpson-Wedge.

Paul completed a Bachelor of Community Management from Macquarie University, and Graduate Certificate in Wiradjuri Language, Culture and Heritage and Management from CSU.

Paul provided the Welcome to Country for the 47th Opening of Federal Parliament in 2022. Paul is Board Director, Ngambri Local Aboriginal Land Council, Member Indigenous Reference Group, National Museum of Australia and Australian Government Voice Referendum Engagement Group.  

Paul works on country with the ANU, First Nations Portfolio as a Senior Community Engagement Officer

Acknowledgement of Country

Reconciliation Australia acknowledges Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing  connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures; and to Elders past and present. 

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this website contains images or names of people who have passed away.

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