<p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:12px"><em>Sharon Clarke and Gill Potaka-Osborne with the Australia Evaluation Society (AES) Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan. Sharon was closely involved in developing the Plan as a member of the AES Board.</em></span></p>

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<p>Esteemed long-time Whakauae colleague, Sharon Clarke (Wergaia, Gunditjmara) travelled to Aotearoa New Zealand in January 2019 to take part in professional development activities as well as to re-connect with family and friends. Sharon is a member of the board of the Australian Evaluation Society (AES) and is employed by the Department of Health and Wellbeing, Government of South Australia based in Adelaide.</p>

<p>In 2015, Sharon joined the STEPS (Strengthening Evaluation Practices in Indigenous Settings in Australia and New Zealand) research team. The STEPS study, conducted by a team of Indigenous and non-Indigenous partners on both sides of the Tasman, is led by Dr Amohia Boulton (Whakauae) and Associate Professor Margaret Cargo (University of Canberra). Amohia has also worked alongside Sharon as an AES Board member. It was while working with Sharon, and fellow Board member Doyen Radcliffe, that Amohia helped to develop the Society&rsquo;s first ever Reconciliation Action Plan (<a href="https://www.aes.asn.au/images/stories/files/Publications/Australian_Evaluation_Society_Reflect_RAP_2018-2019_-_FINAL.pdf" target="_blank">which can be viewed here</a>).</p>

<p>Sharon immersed herself in a variety of M&#257;ori cultural experiences while in the country including sampling her first ever hangi with steamed pudding during a stay in the Rangit&#299;kei with Amohia. She met with the Whakauae team shortly after her arrival taking part in a mihi whakatau, renewing old friendships and meeting several staff she had not previously met. Whilst on a trip to Masterton to visit her cousin and his partner later the same week, Sharon tried her first boil-up and fell in love with watercress.</p>

<p>A highlight of Sharon&rsquo;s visit was reconnecting with friend and colleague, Maaki Tuatini in Raetihi. While there, she took the opportunity to meet with the wh&#257;nau of her late friend and colleague Roberta (Bertz) Williams. Together with Maaki, Sharon attended a Ratana Service in Raetihi led by Bertz&rsquo;s father before visiting Bertz&rsquo;s grave at the nearby urupa.</p>

<p>On Waitangi Day, Sharon and Amohia travelled to Rotorua via Taihape where they participated in the Waitangi Day celebrations hosted in the town by M&#333;kai Patea Services. Sharon enjoyed the opportunity to observe how Waitangi Day is commemorated in the rural heartland. In Rotorua, she attended the inaugural M&#257; Te Rae Indigenous Evaluation Conference where she met with other AES Board members including Kiri Parata and Chair, John Stoney. At the Conference, Sharon experienced her first p&#333;whiri, relished hearing te reo M&#257;ori spoken in every day conversation and appreciated the waiata and manaaki of the home people, Ng&#257;ti Whakaue.</p>
