Acknowledgement of Country
Francis Design honours the First Nations custodians of the land — past, present and emerging.
As building designers and members of this community, we understand why it is important to formally acknowledge Country at events, site meetings and in our communications. It sets a tone of respect, connection and shared responsibility.
What is an Acknowledgement of Country?
An Acknowledgement of Country is a way to show awareness and respect for the Traditional Custodians of the land we are working on, whether that is Gadigal, Dharawal, Wodi Wodi or another Nation. It can be delivered verbally at the start of a meeting, or included in written documents such as plans, proposals and correspondence.
Why we acknowledge Country
- Respect — it recognises the ongoing cultural connection to the land of First Nations people.
- Relationships — it opens the door to genuine engagement and consultation.
- Responsibility — it reminds us to build thoughtfully and sustainably.
- Reflection — it encourages us to pause and be mindful of history and impact.
When we include an Acknowledgement
- At the start of a public event, presentation or site briefing
- In formal written documents, proposals and tender submissions
- Within reports, our website and digital media
- When meeting on site with First Nations stakeholders or community members
- At significant project milestones such as commencement, design handover and completion
Our wording
Francis Design recognises the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we gather today. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and extend that respect to all First Nations people here today.
When working across different Country, we update the Nation named in the acknowledgement, checking with the local Aboriginal Land Council or council so the custodians are correctly recognised.
How this supports our values
Acknowledging Country reinforces our commitment to ethical and culturally safe design, builds stronger relationships with First Nations communities, and reflects the kind of practice we want to be. We are not only planning buildings, we are shaping places, and that is work to be done with care, respect and conscience.