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Yarning Circle opens at Long Bay Correctional Complex
28 JULY 2025
A new Yarning Circle has officially opened at Long Bay Correctional Complex, offering a culturally significant space for reflection and connection.
Rooted in Aboriginal tradition, Yarning Circles have been used for thousands of years to share knowledge, build relationships, and foster understanding in a respectful and inclusive way. This new Circle welcomes both staff and visitors, marking a meaningful step in cultural engagement and reconciliation within the correctional system.
The opening ceremony was led by Raymond Weatherall, who performed a traditional Smoking Ceremony to cleanse the space and mark its cultural significance.
A space for healing and connection
Yarning Circles are more than physical spaces - they are places of healing and cultural exchange. In correctional settings, they offer opportunities to engage with Aboriginal ways of knowing, being, and doing. They also support reconciliation by fostering cultural awareness and respect.
Acting Governor of the Metropolitan Special Program Centre (MSPC), Renee Craft, highlighted the Circle’s importance in daily life at Long Bay.
“In our setting, where complex challenges, trauma and pressure are part of the daily landscape, the creation of a space like this is not only meaningful, but also necessary,” Ms Craft said.
“For staff, I hope this space becomes a reminder that we are part of something bigger. This is not just a job, but a community where support, growth, and cultural awareness are valued.”
Art and culture at the heart of the Circle
The Circle features striking artwork by ‘Josh’, a Wiradjuri inmate, depicting stingrays, whales, and jellyfish - symbols of the Dreamtime and the waters close to Long Bay. These designs honour the Bidjigal and Gadigal people, the traditional custodians of the land.
Hand-painted totem poles and a laser-cut firepit further reflect the area’s rich cultural heritage. Every detail was thoughtfully planned with input from the Aboriginal Strategy and Policy Unit.
“The commitment, creativity and care from the early planning stages to the final touches was thoughtful and respectful,” said Louise Lynch, Director of the Aboriginal Strategy Unit.
A team effort
The project was a collaborative effort involving Corrective Services Industries, custodial staff, and administrative teams. Their combined work has created a space that honours Aboriginal culture and strengthens community within the complex.
Assistant Commissioner Custody Metro, John Buckley, and Custodial Director Metro East, Adam Wilkinson, supported the initiative, recognising its value as a place for cultural learning and respectful dialogue.
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