August 2026 → December 2027
Alkira is proud to launch our inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), endorsed by Reconciliation Australia. Alkira has been operating on the land of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people of the Kulin Nation for the past 70 years.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live and work and recognise the enduring strength, resilience, and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Our Reflect RAP marks an important step in our commitment to reconciliation, inclusion and creating culturally safe spaces for people with disability across the Whitehorse area. We recognise reconciliation as an ongoing journey, and we are also committed to embedding its principles into our governance, operations, workforce development, and service delivery by actively supporting and engaging with First Nations partners, team members, participants and communities in meaningful ways.
‘Alkira’ is a First Nations word, commonly cited as being related to Arrernte or Noongar dialects, with its roots widely interpreted to mean ‘bright and sunny’. It is also frequently translated as ‘big sky’ and is often used to represent joy, warmth, a connection to the landscape or a ‘happy place in the sun’.
Acknowledging our name as part of our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan is highly important and significant to us for several meaningful reasons.
Honouring our name demonstrates our respect for the world’s oldest enduring culture. Acknowledging the significance of our name recognises that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and knowledge systems are living and ongoing.
Recognising the name ‘Alkira’ signals that reconciliation is not an “add-on,” but embedded in who we are as an organisation. It aligns our name, values, and actions with the principles of reconciliation.
Acknowledging the First Nations origin and meaning of ‘Alkira’ creates ongoing opportunities for education. It invites the community to learn about the language group the name comes from, its meaning and cultural significance.
At an organisational level we understand the responsibility that comes with using a First Nations word. We hope to contribute to cultural preservation efforts by actively explaining the meaning of ‘Alkira’ wherever we can do so.
A message from our Chair and CEO
This artwork “Connected Souls” which you see throughout this page is a vibrant reflection of the warmth, inclusiveness, and strong sense of belonging experienced within Alkira. The background is filled with bright, flowing colours that represent the feeling you experience the moment you walk into the space — welcoming, uplifting, and full of life.
Artist Portrait Photo Credit: QArt Studio and Gallery by Endeavour Foundation
