As we step into 2026, Red Dust is embracing a year like no other—one filled with celebration, reflection, and deep gratitude.
This year marks 20 years of Red Dust and 30 years since our Founder John Van Groningen began a health promotion journey with remote Australia. This is, a milestone that honours our roots and the many communities, partners, staff, Elders, families, and supporters who have walked with us. In recognition of this legacy, 2026 will be a celebratory “Backed by Millenia” year, with events, storytelling, and connection taking place across the entire year.
These celebrations come alongside a landmark organisational achievement: Red Dust has now completed its governance reform, reaching a minimum 50% First Nations representation across both our Board and our membership base. We kicked off celebration of our 20/30 milestone at our inaugural all‑staff conference and our Board strategic planning session—just the start of a 20/30 anniversary year ahead.
Our recent all‑staff conference brought teams from across Australia together to reconnect, to share knowledge, and to reflect on the cultural, relational, and community‑driven foundations that shape Red Dust.
In a year of celebration, this gathering set a united tone—reminding us that our strength lies in our relationships and our commitment to two‑way learning with the remote communities partnering with us.
In the spirit of our theme, Walking Backwards into the Future, the 2026 Board strategic planning session provided an important opportunity to reflect on Red Dust’s organisational evolution, to celebrate our 20/30 milestone and map out our new strategic path: Vision 2030.
This year’s planning was especially significant as it marked the completion of one of Red Dust’s most important commitments – successfully achieving the governance evolution by December 2025 with a minimum 50% First Nations ownership, membership, and control.
This achievement reflects years of listening, consultation, and organisational development, supported by:
This milestone firmly positions Red Dust as an organisation not only working with community — but being of community and led by community.
In 2026, Red Dust celebrates 20/30 – decades of work enriching lives, improving health, and strengthening futures. What makes this milestone even more meaningful is that it is not a single event—it is a year‑long celebration.
Throughout 2026, Red Dust will:
This anniversary is a tribute to everyone who has walked with Red Dust over 20 years, the vision established by our founder 30 years ago — and to the millennia of cultural knowledge that underpin everything we do.
This guiding cultural principle—walking backwards into our future— a First Nations concept of leadership and legacy embedded within Red Dust by Rev Raymond Minniecon, Ampi Robinson, & Rev Rex Japanangka Granites, reminds us that our strength and direction come from honouring where we have come from.
The governance reforms now achieved reflect this principle deeply. They are more than structural changes; they are a cultural affirmation of identity, voice, and leadership, grounded in our relationships with community and our commitment to two‑way learning.
By looking to our past, we step forward with clarity, respect, and cultural grounding.
Stepping into 2026, Red Dust enters a chapter defined by:
This is a year to celebrate with community, with partners, and with supporters.
A year to honour the people and knowledge that built Red Dust.
A year to look back—so we can walk forward.
And we do so proudly, walking backwards into our future.
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