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Contact and further information
You can reach us on the following details to find out more about this project.
Our contact lines are open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 5 pm, excluding public holidays.
- (+61 8) 9432 9300
- [email protected]
Wadjemup Project
The Wadjemup Project is a state-wide Aboriginal-led project facilitated by Rottnest Island Authority with support from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.
Acknowledgement
Rottnest Island Authority kaadatj Wadjak Noongar moort. Baalap Wadjemup kaaradjiny, baalabang malayin nakolak-ngat wer wirn kalyakoorl noyinang koort boodja-k wer kep-ak. Ngalak kaadatj nedingar, birdiya wer boordakan Noongar moort. Ngalak karnadjil kaadatj maaman wer noba wirn ali kalka nginow noyiyang Wadjemap ngardak boodja-k. Baalabang moort maambart-boort, ngooni-boort, kongk-boort wer Birdiya-boort.
Rottnest Island Authority acknowledge Whadjuk Noongar families. They Wadjemup caring, their culture and spirits always connected Island-to and water-to. We acknowledge ancestors, Elders and future Noongar families. We truly acknowledge men and boys’ spirits who still remain connected Wadjemup under ground-in. Their family’s father-without, brother-without, uncle-without and Elder-without. Translation courtesy of Sharon Gregory .
Delivering truth-telling, ceremony, and commemoration strategies to acknowledge and reconcile the Aboriginal prison history on Wadjemup.
The Wadjemup Project is a state-wide Aboriginal-led project facilitated by the Rottnest Island Authority with support from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.
This project aims to formally acknowledge the island’s Aboriginal history through:
- Truth Telling - to acknowledge Wadjemup's history of Aboriginal incarceration and its role in the colonisation of WA;
- Ceremony - to facilitate healing in line with Aboriginal cultural protocol; and
- Memorialisation - of the former prison sites on Wadjemup, including the Quod and the Wadjemup Aboriginal Burial Ground.
Content warning
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this contains material that relates to the island’s prison era and may be confronting and/or challenging. Rottnest Island Authority does not endorse the language and views of the past, and sincerely apologises for any distress this content may cause.
The content may also contain images and names of individuals who have passed away.
Wadjemup Project initiatives
The Quod building on Wadjemup is the most recognisable symbol of Wadjemup’s prison history. The building, the second prison built on the island, was built between 1862 and 1864 by Aboriginal forced prison labour. It was designed to hold a maximum of 106 prisoners, but at its peak in 1883, held almost 170 Aboriginal men.
As part of the $27.5 million State Government funding announced in 2023, conservation works have commenced on the Quod to stabilise the building fabric and remove detrimental materials.
The Whadjuk Cultural Authority elected as the Wadjemup Project Steering Group has led the State-wide consultation to determine the future use of the Quod.
The Whadjuk Noongar people are the Traditional Owners of Wadjemup / Rottnest Island, and their connection to the island is long, significant, and enduring.
From 1838 to 1931, Wadjemup was used as a place of incarceration, segregation and forced labour for over 4,000 Aboriginal men and boys, some as young as eight, who were forcibly taken from regions across Western Australia. Historic records indicate that at least 373 of these men and boys were buried in an area now referred to as the Wadjemup Aboriginal Burial Ground (WABG).
Wadjemup Wirin Bidi, meaning ‘Spirit Trail’, is a Cultural Ceremony to facilitate healing and to commemorate all those affected by the past incarceration of Aboriginal men and boys on Wadjemup/Rottnest Island.
From 1838 to 1931, Wadjemup was used as an Aboriginal prison and forced labour camp for over 4,000 Aboriginal boys and men taken from across Western Australia. Historic records indicate that at least 373 of these prisoners died in custody and were buried in an area now referred to as the Wadjemup Aboriginal Burial Ground (WABG).
A key deliverable of the Wadjemup Project is to memorialise the Burial Ground to ensure the Aboriginal men and boys are respectfully honoured. In 2024, a statewide consultation with Aboriginal communities took place to determine how best to memorialise the Burial Ground. Detailed design and delivery of the WABG memorialisation will begin in 2025, with recent Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) confirming the extent of the Burial Ground.
Other works in progress
See what other projects and developments are underway.
Current
Quod Conservation Works
Heritage conservation works are being undertaken on the former Aboriginal prison, the Quod, to stabilise the building and where possible reflect its original prison appearance.
Current
Wadjemup Aboriginal Burial Ground Memorialisation
A key initiative of the Wadjemup Project to respectfully memorialise the Wadjemup Aboriginal Burial Ground.
Complete
Kwoba Wirin-up (Good Spirit Place)
A dedicated cultural space supporting Aboriginal heritage, connection to Country and culturally safe practice on Wadjemup.
These milestones and the continued shared journey towards truth-telling, healing and reconciliation would not have been possible without the contribution and guidance of all Aboriginal people, groups, and communities across the State.
Progress so far
The Wadjemup Project Progress Report details the historical and contemporary events and issues that underpin the Project. It includes an overview of the long-term concealment of Aboriginal prison history on the island, the impacts on Aboriginal people across generations, and the efforts of the people who have contributed to reconciliation and the search for truth, acknowledgement and commemoration of the Aboriginal men and boys who were incarcerated and died on the island.
A suite of projects and activities, including state-wide community consultations, have been undertaken since the 1980s. The more recent developments facilitated by RIA are outlined below:
2020: Treasurer and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Hon Ben Wyatt and Minister for Tourism Hon Paul Papalia announced the commencement of the Wadjemup Project.
2021: The Wadjemup Project established the Wadjemup Whadjuk Cultural Authority Reference Group to lead state-wide consultation regarding the future of the Wadjemup Aboriginal Burial Gound and the Quod. Members appointed are Neville Collard, Herbert Bropho, Farley Garlett, Margaret Colbung, Elizabeth Hayden and Karen Jacobs, Jenny Garlett, Cheryl Phillips, Elizabeth Hayden, Ezra Jacobs-Smith, Barry Winmar, Nick Abraham, Steven Jacobs, Vivienne Hansen, John McGuire, Norm Pickett, Patrick Egan, and Tania Jacobs.
2020–2023: The Wadjemup Project established the Wadjemup Whadjuk Cultural Authority, the Wadjemup Whadjuk Cultural Authority Reference Group and the Cultural Protocol Framework.
May 2023: The State Government committed $27.5 million over the next four years to commence Stage Two of the Wadjemup Project, which is Aboriginal-led and facilitated by the Rottnest Island Authority with support from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet.
2023: Minister appointed the Wadjemup Project Steering Group (WPSG) to lead the Wadjemup Project Stage Two. Members of the WPSG are Farley Garlett, Neville Collard, Herbert Bropho, Karen Jacobs, Sandra Harben and Glenys Yarran
2023: Aboriginal Productions and Promotions (APP) are awarded the lead consultant role to work alongside the WPSG to deliver the statewide consultation for the four project elements.
2023: Consultation begins with Whadjuk and Noongar communities.
2024: Regional consultation begins with Aboriginal communities throughout Western Australia.
2024: Quod conservation works commenced to ensure the stabilisation of the buildings ahead of decisions on future use.
2024: Demolition works completed to remove intrusive houses abutting the Wadjemup Aboriginal Burial Ground.
2024: Wadjemup Wirin Bidi (Spirit Trail) ceremonial week held to carry out Sorry Business, facilitate healing and commemorate the Aboriginal men and boys who were imprisoned on the island between 1838 and 1931. A public Commemoration Ceremony, held on 9 November, concluded the week-long private men’s and women’s cultural Ceremonies.
