How Samantha Richards is helping bridge now to next

Mrs Richards is a proud Indigenous woman from the Wurundjeri and Dja Dja Wurrung Tribes, and an Indigenous business owner and artist who helps enact change by sharing culture through education and art – showing the past, the present today and helping to develop the future world.

Her business, Connecting Two Worlds, helps share information and create positive relationships between people of different communities.

The Victorian Chamber was enthusiastic to engage Mrs Richards for our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), and her artwork will be the centrepiece of our RAP – with more details to come soon.

In this article the Chamber speaks to Mrs Richards about her work, experience and how Victorian businesses can get involved with NRW and beyond.

National Reconciliation Week

NRW is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how all people can contribute to reconciliation in Australia.

NRW is held every year from 27 May to 3 June, commemorating the successful 1967 referendum and High Court Mabo decision. It is facilitated by Reconciliation Australia, the lead body for reconciliation in Australia.

The NRW 2025 theme, Bridging Now to Next, calls on all Australians to step forward together, to look ahead and continue the push forward as past lessons guide us.

Mrs Richards said: “Reconciliation Week highlights the connection between the past, present and future. From where we were to now; acknowledging the traditions that we have lost, but still practicing the ones that have been passed down today, embracing the achievements of our people, and celebrating our collaboration with Australia through shared knowledge.”

Education and business

Mrs Richards personifies the NRW theme through her work with Connecting Two Worlds, which she established to offer cultural educational workshops that focus on delivering interactive and engaging content to all age groups.

It provides incursions to childcares, primary and high schools, and cultural education training to businesses.

Mrs Richards said that teaching people about Indigenous cultures promotes a better understanding about the people who lived on this land in the past, and the people that are here and surround them today.

“Growing up, and teaching in schools, I saw that there wasn’t much Victorian based Indigenous culture being taught, with more central and northern cultures being shared instead.

“Depending on where you go in Australia, our cultures can be vastly different or similar. I wanted to highlight Victorian Indigenous culture so that others can learn about the land they are on.”

Mrs Richards said she noticed that many people wanted to learn more and were interested in teaching Indigenous culture, but were also afraid of making a mistake or being disrespectful.

“The idea of Connecting Two Worlds is to bridge the gap in understanding between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous cultures so that we all have a better understanding about each other and also pay homage to our traditional, and now modern, way of living, breathing and celebrating country.”

Establishing the business has been rewarding, with Mrs Richards most proud of watching students taking in information and passing it on to others.

“Storytelling was, and is, a massive part of Indigenous culture, and to have our future generations, and the generations of today, learn and share and enjoy culture, we are creating a country of mutual respect and shared aspirations for a bright future.”

Art and storytelling

Mrs Richards is also an emerging artist whose work is gaining recognition for its ability to connect people to culture through visual storytelling.

She specialises in creating contemporary Indigenous artworks utilising traditional Indigenous symbols to tell stories and bring awareness and acknowledgement of her culture to the wider community.

She has collaborated with, and created designs for, businesses and organisations including Yarra Trams, Melbourne Cricket Club, the Melbourne Vixens netball team, and now the Victorian Chamber.

“Art is another form of education. It’s a way to share information and can reach even more people by being in the public space for all to see,” Mrs Richards said.

“My pieces all hold their own unique meanings and feelings, and I hope they also create meaning and feeling to the people that see it.”

Advice for business

For any business or organisation looking to expand its understanding and engagement with Indigenous culture, from NRW and beyond, Mrs Richards encourages them to have a go.

“If you are looking to learn more about Indigenous culture, please don’t be afraid to do so,” she said.

“If you are worried about making a mistake, mistakes are just another way of learning. I would rather you give it a go than not do it at all.”

Cultural safety training is a great way to start the journey, Mrs Richards said.

“If you can organise some cultural safety training, that can be a great start in learning about culture.

“You can reach out to your local Indigenous community or corporation, or a local Indigenous business (Kinaway Business Directory has a list of Indigenous owned and operated businesses in a variety of areas) and you could help create a culturally safe space and further education through commissioning art to be displayed in the public space.

“Give it a go and any questions, I am always happy to answer.”

Find out more about Mrs Richards, Connecting Two Worlds and her art.

Learn more about getting involved in NRW and starting a RAP. Reconciliation Australia’s 2024 RAP Impact Report shows the RAP program is expanding and many RAP organisations are deepening their impact through strong governance and accountability.