Proudly launching MMP's First Nations Engagement Strategy

Metropolitan Memorial Parks

4 June 2025

National Reconciliation Week is a time when all Australians reflect on shared journeys. To mark Reconciliation Week, Metropolitan Memorial Parks (MMP) proudly launched its First Nations Engagement Strategy - further committing to building stronger relationships with First Nations communities while recognising and respecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures and histories.

Our First Nations Engagement Strategy is guided by a vision of reconciliation, actively seeking ways to celebrate First Nations cultures while creating meaningful opportunities for engagement within our organisation and the wider community. Our goal is to provide welcoming, inclusive spaces that support the memorialisation, connection and reflection needs of First Nations communities across our memorial parks.

Tablet displaying "Metropolitan Memorial Parks First Nations Engagement Strategy 2025–2030," featuring an Indigenous hand holding herbs. Green decorative elements emphasise cultural connection.

Enhancing accessibility and inclusivity, cultural understanding, empowerment and opportunities for storytelling all form part of our First Nations Engagement values. These values, along with our purpose and commitment to reconciliation, have been collectively designed in collaboration with First Nations leaders, community and committee members, employees and our own dedicated First Nations Working Group.

We are grateful for the time, wisdom, knowledge and voices that have contributed to this strategy and that will ensure our services, spaces, and storytelling are inclusive and culturally sensitive.

Why this matters

As custodians of memorial spaces across Greater Sydney, we understand the deep cultural significance of land and the stories it holds. This strategy formalises our intention to engage meaningfully with First Nations peoples and to listen and learn from their perspectives — especially around mourning, memory, and care for the deceased.

“We are so proud to be officially launching our First Nations Engagement Strategy at such an important time – during Reconciliation Week. Our cemeteries are places of remembrance for all. Through this strategy, we honour the oldest continuous culture on Earth and seek to create spaces that are respectful, welcoming, and inclusive of all Australians.”

- CEO, Denise Ora

Looking ahead - Bridging now to next

During 2025 National Reconciliation Week, our workforce participated in an activity to pledge their commitment to reconciliation and the launch of this strategy as we mark the beginning of a longer journey. MMP will continue to learn, listen and forge connections, with future steps including cultural awareness training for staff, building partnerships with local Aboriginal organisations, incorporating First Nations voices into our storytelling and ensuring our policies reflect cultural respect and inclusion.

We thank the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities who have guided this work so far, and we invite continued collaboration as we walk together toward reconciliation.