As I came up the escalators at the somewhat bougie Westfield Bondi Junction, deep in the heart of Sydney’s eastern suburbs, on Sunday, I was met with an incredible sign.
A literal, physical sign.
It was in one of those auto-roll digital ad things; and it was promoting NAIDOC Week. Westfield Bondi Junction was displaying two posters in celebration of NAIDOC Week.
Not as advertising for itself, but a simple message to the community.
“Wouldn’t have seen this 20 years ago,” I thought, as I took photos of the signs. “Look how far we’ve come.”
I also thought in that moment: “F**k you, Pauline Hanson. There never was, and never will be, a monoculture in Australia.”
The One Nation Party leader made headlines recently when she called for a “monoculture” in Australia. She claims immigrants need to assimilate better – that is, look and act just like her. Like they did before “massive immigration”, is her sentiment.
The problem is, she’s wrong.
Pauline Hanson delivers her implausible call for a “monoculture” at the National Press Club in June. Image: X
You see, Australia “always was, always will be” (to use part of the iconic Indigenous mantra) belongs to our Indigenous people; and only until it was invaded was it a monoculture for thousands of years.
Not for a day since then.
On that fateful day in 1788, when the British claimed it as their own, the “monoculture” ceased to exist. And ever since then, Australia has become an increasingly strong, proud, rich multicultural society, with immigrants from all over the world.
Fast forward to 2026, seeing a sign for NAIDOC week posted by a retail giant for every shopper to see, just shows that despite the debate flooding the media, we will never be a “monoculture”.
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‘Never was, never will be’: Westfield sign discredits Aussie ‘monoculture’
The stunning posters, which you can see at the top of this story, are designed by creator and artist ENOKI. The artist clearly supports Westfield’s NAIDOC celebration.
Although there are no doubt some who will criticise it as ‘tokenistic’, I think it’s hopeful, especially in the context of the growing movement against people who don’t look like Hanson, or don’t have her background.
And, looking at previous posters intended to support Indigenous peoples over the years, you can see that as a society we’ve certainly come a long way.
Let’s not destroy that progress. Let’s tell the truth as it exists in 2026.
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Support from Westfield’s boss, Elliott Rusanow
In an article published last month called, “‘I cried’: How antisemitic attack led to Westfield boss’ new mission”, Scentre (owner of Westfield) chief executive Elliott Rusanow acknowledged “the role business must play in fostering social cohesion.”
He said, “Our destinations mean a lot to people other than just shopping.”
And clearly from the NAIDOC Week posters, he’s gloriously followed up.
Main image: Nama Winston’s personal photos of Westfield’s celebration of NAIDOC Week.