Stacey Thomas: ‘Truth-telling can be uncomfortable, but it is our work to do’

Stacey Thomas, CEO of The Wyatt Trust, delivered a powerful talk from the heart at the Philanthropy Australia Conference to a packed auditorium on reckoning with the past of the Trust and its founder, English colonial settler Dr William Wyatt. She spoke frankly about how his life impacted the lives of local First Nations peoples. Here, Stacey reflects on why it was important to deliver that speech to that audience and how she feels about the groundswell of feedback she’s received. She offers advice on how others can start their journey and where The Wyatt Trust, with its 138 years of history, goes next with theirs.

1. You immediately set the tone of your speech by saying that you had agonised over its format – and that you were nervous. Why was it important to take the stage alone and deliver that speech to that audience – and how do you feel now it’s done?

In all The Wyatt Trust’s work we are very conscious of elevating voices that may otherwise be unheard. To stand and speak of something that has had such a profound impact on First Nations communities across South Australia, as a lone voice, was not a comfortable position.

I was encouraged by Philanthropy Australia to deliver the speech on my own, and in doing so, demonstrate our commitment to owning our history and its impact. For a sector that is generally not diverse or representative of the communities we seek to serve, I was incredibly aware of the privilege I hold and it being another example of having a platform that others do not.

The flipside of this though, I hope, was leading by example to my colleagues and peers that this is work that everyone should be doing. Not leaving truth telling and reconciliation to others, but being willing to stand up and put one’s own head above the parapet. I feel grateful to have had the opportunity to do so.

2. You said that everyone at The Wyatt Trust wants the same thing – truth and reconciliation. What’s your advice for other organisations that want to start a truth-telling journey? How do you bring others along if there are some in the organisation who ‘aren’t there yet’?

Everyone’s journey is going to be different. The starting point though, is one of introspection. Asking honest questions to understand not only why you may be doing this, but what is the outcome you want to achieve?

Time and again our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander friends and colleagues have shared that to talk, write nice words in plans, ask for people’s time and advice, and then do nothing, is harmful. A lack of action leads to more hurt and distrust. There needs to be a commitment to action as a part of any truth-telling journey.

We have spent years as a board and staff team committing ourselves to learn more about First Nations history. This has been via formal cultural learning opportunities, attending community events, having one-on-one yarns with Elders and everything in between. This is also an important part of the journey and the way in which you help people who have different understandings and ideas get to a more even, common ground.

3. You’ve received overwhelming feedback on the talk. Can you describe some of it and how it’s made you feel?

It was overwhelming to have so many people, on the day and afterwards, reach out with their thoughts about the speech. It ranged from sector friends who wrote lovely words of thanks, to strangers reaching out over social media to share some of their personal reflections on how it impacted them.

It made me feel like the work we are doing could have a broader impact than on our immediate community and that is wonderful.

At the same time, I understood that not everyone in the room agreed and some of that feedback, provided to others, also made its way back to me. I am also grateful for these comments and perspectives as it shows that people were engaged with the content.

4. Where do you think the rest of the sector is on its truth-telling journey?

It is not my place to judge where others are at on this journey, and as I mentioned earlier, everyone’s journey is different. One of the common themes in the feedback was that hearing what someone else had done provided inspiration to others to consider how they might do it. Perhaps that suggests that more broadly across our sector, there wasn’t yet a lot happening in the truth telling space.

We have some wonderful allies and leaders in the philanthropic sector, but the time is now to grow in number. Part of being an ally is not just funding into the space but applying this same lens on our own history and operations. I am hopeful that we will be able to do more as a sector and while it is a personal journey, I hope that we can work together to make sure people feel supported in doing this kind of work.

5. In the presentation you described five learnings from The Wyatt Trust’s truth-telling process, including those from the research project done with the expertise of Dr Jennifer Caruso. How has the journey changed you personally? 

Working in philanthropy offers so may privileges and opportunities to learn about things you may otherwise not have. But being a part of this process over the past few years, and to witness Dr Caruso’s work is something that has left a permanent mark.

Truth telling is about fact, and it is also about perspective. And when you have spent the most part of your life not having to deeply consider these facts and perspectives, it is impossible to not be changed.

In recent years, there has been a lot of talk about allyship and what it means to be a ‘good ally’. I feel that this work has allowed me to step up and really question my actions and what it means for me to be a good ally.

6. Do you know where The Wyatt Trust’s truth-telling journey will go next?

Over the next few months, we will finish the first round of community consultation. What may or may not change in our programs and operations will be an iterative process. It is tempting to jump immediately to changes but not everyone in our community wants that, so we will work together at a pace that brings community along with us, and us with them.

Watch Stacey’s plenary speech from the 2024 Philanthropy Australia Conference below.