In line with this year’s Reconciliation Week theme being 'More than a word', Stuart Larkins is hoping to be elected as the first Indigenous councillor on Kiama Council.

"As a Wodi Wodi man, Reconciliation Week is so important for me," says Mr Larkins, a lawyer working part-time as an electorate officer for Fiona Phillips, Federal Member for Gilmore.

“There must be an increased and consistent effort from Council to deliver initiatives that represent the rich Indigenous culture both pre-settlement and post-settlement.”

Stuart Larkins

If elected, he would like to see more events added to mark Reconciliation Week locally, in addition to Council’s long standing Sorry Day Ceremony.

“It was great to go to the screening of In My Blood It Runs, organised by the Gerringong & District Historical Society and Pics & Flicks,” he says.

"Kiama has a long history and the community should actively reflect on its full Indigenous heritage and culture during Reconciliation Week."

He is proud that, if elected, Labor for Kiama Council candidates are committed to moving a motion that Kiama Municipal Council support the Uluru Statement from the Heart.

“Shoalhaven and other councils have already endorsed the statement and Kiama should join them,” he says.

Mr Larkins believes Council should also work closely with the local Indigenous community to update signage in the area to include Indigenous names and meanings of places.

"Some of our towns’ names reflect Indigenous heritage, such as Minnamurra, which means ‘plenty of fish'.

“When I was a child, my nan, a Wodi Wodi woman, would actively use words such as 'mura' and other animal names to ensure I was connected to language and culture.

"It would be fantastic to improve our local signs to include the meanings of places where we live.”

He is also keen for Council to give further support to a number of community organisations - such as the Kiama Family History Centre, Kiama Library and Gerringong Historical Society - which are working to further develop our understanding of First Nations history in the Municipality.

Mr Larkins’ family on this mother’s side were local Wodi Wodi people from the Kiama and Berry area, who were relocated to Wreck Bay in his great-grandfather’s time.

At Kiama High, his knowledge and understanding through his upbringing was built upon by the School’s Aboriginal Studies HSC course.

"I got great benefit from the way that Kiama High has connected with Aboriginal students over the years," he says.

Two per cent of the Kiama LGA's population identifies as being Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander.