A definition of “sustainable” that is important for this network, is the potential for long term maintenance of well-being.   It has ecological, economic, political and cultural dimensions.  In order to achieve this, a group of people needs to be able to manage on-going changes in its environment.

Aboriginal society, prior to European settlement, appears to have achieved a remarkable level of sustainability, according to this definition.  It was not equipped to deal with the rapid change forced upon it by colonial settlement.

The struggle for communities is to find a way to adapt to changed circumstances, and achieve their potential for well-being.  This can never happen without complementary and supporting changes occurring in wider Australian society.

This Walk Together Design will make it easier to see how both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal communities will need to adjust in relation to each other so that the Australian dreams of “Lucky Country”, and “Lucky Culture”, can be genuinely inclusive of all Australians.