Launch of the Diocesan
Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)
Mr Ian Carter AM
The Diocesan Synod and Diocesan Council have been auspicing the development of the Diocesan Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) over the last couple of years. It was a long but very fruitful journey with many small and large meetings with First Nations Elders. A RAP Reference Group was convened by Archbishop Kay and later on in the journey a Working Group completed some of the detailed work.
The RAP has now been endorsed by Reconciliation Australia and it was formally launched “symbolically” by Archbishop Kay on 16 April 2026 immediately prior to the Diocesan Council Meeting. It was great to have Members of the RAP Reference Group, including Elders Auntie Dr Liz Hayden, Uncle Ben Taylor AM, and Marie Pyor; as well as members of Diocesan Council and the Perth Diocesan Trustees.
In her Welcome to Country at the Launch Auntie Dr Liz Hayden reminded us all that we needed to “Yarn” together as we build relationships and trust which have underpinned the RAP Journey so far.
In launching the RAP Archbishop Kay challenged us all, as she did in her message in the RAP, to all be “Walking forward, may the voice of God’s deep and abiding grace be our companion for reconciliation, new learning and planning together”. There is much to be done and we look forward to the journey with First Nations Peoples across the Anglican Diocese of Perth.
We all need to take up this challenge and explore the RAP which is available on the Diocesan website - Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). What can we as an individual, parish, school or agency do to further the reconciliation journey of the Diocese of Perth?
