The AOC both accepts and extends the invitation to ‘Walk with Us’.
‘Walk with Us’ was a vision that originated from the AOC’s Indigenous Advisory Committee (IAC). It underpins the AOC’s Vision for Reconciliation and reflects a reconciliation journey that is shared.
To date, the AOC has embodied this vision through the facilitation of two ‘Walk with Us’ forums. The first, inaugural ‘Walk with Us’ forum was held in November 2020.
About The AOC's RAP
Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)
The AOC has taken another step on its journey of reconciliation through sport with the launch of its second ‘Innovate’ Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
The AOC is working to recognise the heritage, culture and history of First Nations people at every level of the organisation.
Our Reconciliation Journey
*WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are warned that the following article contains images of deceased persons.
Australia has been represented by 59 Indigenous athletes at the Summer Olympic Games and by one Indigenous athlete at the Winter Olympic Games.
Our History
Australia has been represented by 60 Indigenous Australian Olympians known to the AOC, 59 Indigenous athletes at the Summer Olympic Games and by one Indigenous athlete at the Winter Olympic Games.
Our Partnerships
The AOC has established and continued partnerships and collaborations with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and other like-minded organisations. Read more for a summary of the partnerships and milestones achieved.
Australian Olympic Indigenous Coaching Scholarship
In partnership with The Toyota Foundation, the AOC funded the first Inaugural Australian Olympic Indigenous Coaching Scholarship (AOICS) pilot for Indigenous coaches in the Olympic sport of basketball.
Olympics Unleashed and Australian Olympic Change-Maker
The Olympics Unleashed and Australian Olympic Change-Maker programs continues to increase their reach into remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art
Walking Together PAUL FLEMING Aboriginal Artist: Paul Fleming (Olympian – Beijing 2008, Boxing), a First Nation Australian man from Wakka Wakka Wanyurr Majay, Yuggera Country.
Ngalmun Danalaig (Our Way of Life) DAVID BOSUN
Torres Strait Artist: David Bosun, a proud Wug man and Mualgal artist from Moa Island in the Torres Strait, is one of the founders of the printmaking tradition in Zenadth Kes (the Torres Strait) and has worked in printmaking, drawing and painting for over 20 years.
Governance
The AOC Executive, Athletes Commission, and Indigenous Advisory Committee form the building blocks for consultation to guide the AOC’s reconciliation journey.
WATCH / A summary of the Australian Olympic Committee's first national forum designed to educate Olympians and aspiring Olympians on Indigenous history, Indigenous issues and the challenges of reconciliation. The “Walk with Us” forum was originally held live on
The initial forum was designed to educate Olympians and athletes on Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and the challenges of reconciliation.
The 2020 ‘Walk with Us’ forum was the first of its kind, featured panel discussions with Indigenous and non-Indigenous Olympians, questions from Olympians and presentations from prominent Indigenous figures Stan Grant and Dean Parkin.
During NAIDOC Week 2022, the AOC held its second ‘Walk with Us’ forum. The purpose of this second forum was to celebrate Australia’s 60 known Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Olympians through acknowledgement of Australia’s Indigenous Olympic history and achievements.
Indigenous Olympians who participated in the 2022 forum included IAC Chair Patrick Johnson OLY, IAC Deputy-Chair Danny Morseu OLY, IAC members Beki Smith OLY and Kyle Vander-Kuyp OLY. Members of the Athletes Commission Kenny Wallace OLY and Gretta Small OLY also participated in the forum.
The full versions of the 2020 and 2022 Walk with Us forums can be viewed here:
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