Wadjemup Wirin Bidi Ceremony

A landmark week of ceremony, healing and truth-telling to honour the Aboriginal men and boys imprisoned on Wadjemup / Rottnest Island.

Overview

In November 2024, Aboriginal people from across Western Australia gathered for Wadjemup Wirin Bidi (Spirit Trail) for a week of private cultural ceremonies and a public commemoration to honour the Aboriginal men and boys imprisoned on Wadjemup / Rottnest Island between 1838 and 1931.

Wadjemup Wirin Bidi is a key milestone of the broader Wadjemup Project, which seeks to deliver truth-telling, ceremony, and commemoration strategies to acknowledge the Island’s Aboriginal prison history. The project is Aboriginal-led, facilitated by the Rottnest Island Authority, and supported by the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. It is a priority initiative under the Rottnest Island Management Plan 2023–2028.

Key benefits

Honours Aboriginal lives and histories through cultural ceremony and remembrance

Supports healing for families and communities affected by incarceration

Strengthens truth-telling and reconciliation between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people

Restores cultural connection to Wadjemup for Traditional Owners and Aboriginal communities

Raises public awareness of the island’s prison history and its lasting impacts

Delivers on Aboriginal-led priorities within the broader Wadjemup Project

Key dates

Private ceremonies: 4-8 November 2024

Public ceremony: 9 November 2024

Location

Location map

Frequently asked questions

Wadjemup Wirin Bidi, meaning ‘Spirit Trail’ in Noongar, is a cultural ceremony held to honour and free the spirits of Aboriginal men and boys imprisoned on Wadjemup between 1838 and 1931.

The Ceremony was held to facilitate healing, truth-telling, and commemoration for the over 4,000 Aboriginal men and boys who were incarcerated on Wadjemup, including at least 373 who died in custody and are buried on the island in the area known as the Wadjemup Aboriginal Burial Ground.

Private Cultural Ceremonies were held from 4 to 8 November 2024, followed by a Public Commemoration Ceremony on 9 November 2024.

Men’s Sorry Business was held on Wadjemup. Women’s Ceremonies took place at Manjaree / Bathers Beach in Walyalup / Fremantle, with some women choosing to join the men on the island.

Approximately 200 Aboriginal representatives attended the private Ceremonies. The Public Commemoration Ceremony drew over 2,000 Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal attendees.

The event featured truth-telling by Traditional Owners and Elders, cultural presentations, Yarning Circles, and activities that supported healing and reconciliation.

Wadjemup Wirin Bidi is a key milestone of the Aboriginal-led Wadjemup Project, which aims to acknowledge and reconcile the island’s prison history through truth-telling, ceremony, and commemoration.

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]

Funding

This project was made possible by funding from the State Government of Western Australia.

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11 November 2024

Wadjemup Wirin Bidi: A landmark ceremony for healing and reconciliation

Aboriginal people from across Western Australia have gathered on Wadjemup / Rottnest Island for a ceremonial week to carry out Sorry Business and commemorate the Aboriginal men and boys who were imprisoned on the island between 1838 and 1931.

9 July 2025

Wadjemup Project Steering Group Wins 2025 NAIDOC Award

The Wadjemup Project Steering Group (WPSG) was awarded the Caring for Country and Culture Award at the National NAIDOC Awards Ceremony held in Boorloo / Perth on Saturday 5 July 2025.

19 August 2025

New Cultural Space Opens on Wadjemup / Rottnest Island

A new cultural space named Kwoba Wirin-up, meaning Good Spirit Place in Noongar, has officially opened on Wadjemup / Rottnest Island.

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Kwoba Wirin-up (Good Spirit Place)

A dedicated cultural space supporting Aboriginal heritage, connection to Country and culturally safe practice on Wadjemup.

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Wadjemup Aboriginal Burial Ground Memorialisation

A key initiative of the Wadjemup Project to respectfully memorialise the Wadjemup Aboriginal Burial Ground.

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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.

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Wadjemup Wirin Bidi Ceremony

Overview

Key benefits

Key dates

Location

Gallery

Related documents

Frequently asked questions

Contact and further information

Funding

Related news

Wadjemup Wirin Bidi Ceremony

Overview

Key benefits

Key dates

Location

Gallery

Related documents

Frequently asked questions

Contact and further information

Funding

Related news

More projects and developments

Related content