Pirku-Itya partnerships to mark five years of empowerment

SA Water will mark five years of empowering communities through reconciliation with the opening of its next round of Pirku-Itya (Reconciliation Partnerships Program) later this month.

Pirku-Itya, a Kaurna word meaning ‘for community,’ was established in 2020, with the initiative enabling partnerships with 29 organisations to date from across South Australia who contribute to reconciliation and create positive change within their communities.

SA Water’s Manager of Brand and Community Connection Kellie McDonald said it’s exciting to continue growing the number of not-for-profit organisations assisted by funding of up to $10,000 through the program.

“The collaborations between SA Water and our Pirku-Itya partners reflect our continued support for organisations committed to creating thriving communities through a cooler or greener environment, or who are showcasing proactive environmental leadership and sustainability,” Kellie said.

“We look to support groups working towards positive reconciliation goals and promoting the health and wellbeing of active, thriving communities.

“We are proud to have helped deliver positive outcomes through Pirku-Itya over the past five years and continue to recognise the important work of these 29 groups supported so far.”

Among the 2024-25 recipients was the Dunjiba Community Council to expand a greenhouse and shadehouse to include wicking beds that would help conserve water and plant vegetables.

Another recipient was MOD, who in late 2024 was able to host a Nature Festival event at Yundi Nature Conservancy – a special place that has been undergoing restoration to revive its biodiversity and Aboriginal values.

Other 2024-25 Pirku-Itya recipients include:
* Blackwood Reconciliation – installing a water fountain and tap upgrades to maintain the Indigenous Plant Revegetation project at Colebrook Reconciliation Park.
* Adelaide Contemporary Experimental –supporting the Kaurna Women’s Art Collective mapping of the Port River
* Nukunu Wapma Thura Aboriginal Corporation –a mains water supply connection that will enable the Nukunu People to use cultural burning practices to regenerate the land and transfer cultural burning language and methods.
* Poonindie Anglican Church – establishing a sacred garden using native plants and a install a truth telling yarning circle and fire pit at the old Poonindie mission and church.
* Tenison Woods College – supporting the launch of its long-term project, in partnership with local Boandik Elder Uncle Ken Jones, that seeks to regenerate identified former wetlands including Deep Creek, Pick Swamp and Ewen’s Ponds, under its ‘Kakadu of the South’ initiative.

Kellie said the annual program is one of the ways SA Water is making positive and meaningful progress in the utility’s journey towards reconciliation and cultural awareness with its people and the communities it works in.

“Our vision for reconciliation is for healthy communities, sustained by integrating local Aboriginal knowledge, culture and rights into our operational practices – an ethos that underpins our 2024-27 Reconciliation Action Plan,” Kellie said.

“We encourage not-for-profit organisations to explore Pirku-Itya’s eligibility criteria and apply for this year’s program.”

Applications open 26 May and close 20 July 2025.

Contact: Tara Miko

Phone: 0448951418

Email: tara.miko@sawater.com.au