The Need...

In a world marked by rapid change, deep inequities and rising disconnection, the need for relational, healing centred approaches has never been greater. Across Australia and beyond, communities are grappling with the enduring impacts of colonisation, systemic injustice, conflict, trauma and fractured relationships; both between people and with the systems that shape their lives.

Cygnet Centre for Peacebuilding & Transformation was founded in response to this need. We recognise that true peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice, connection, dignity and hope. We see the gaps where people feel unheard, systems remain unchanged and harm continues to ripple across generations.

Our work is built on the belief that transformation is possible, that through courageous dialogue, culturally grounded practices, trauma-aware processes and a deep commitment to walking alongside rather than doing for, communities can heal forward into more just and connected futures.

There is a pressing need for spaces that honour lived and living experience, that foster genuine participation, that nurture safety and cultural identity, and that build the leadership, capability and resilience of individuals and communities.

There is a need for systems change that is relational, not transactional.

There is a need for healing that does not erase the past, but honours it as a source of strength and learning.

Cygnet exists to meet this need, offering tailored, values-aligned pathways that hold space for truth-telling, healing, restoration and the bold reimagination of what is possible.

We don’t simply respond to harm, we cultivate the ecosystems where trust, hope and transformation can take root and thrive.

Our Approach...

Transforming conflict. Cultivating connection. Inspiring change.

Cygnet’s work is guided by our awareness of the interconnection and interdependence of all life. Our approach is rooted in a deep belief in the power of human connection to heal, to transform and to spark generational change. We work at the intersection of social justice, healing, community empowerment and systems transformation, because we understand that true peace is not the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice, right relationships and dignity.

We draw from a rich tapestry of practices, integrating the ancient wisdom of First Nations cultures with contemporary evidence-based frameworks such as restorative practices, restorative justice, peacebuilding, facilitation, systems thinking, mindfulness, cultural safety, trauma-informed practice and participatory processes and action research.

Our team are skilled practitioners, educators and systems thinkers who bring compassion, creativity and clarity to complex human challenges. We hold complexity with care and centre relationships at every step. We understand that transformation is not a one-size-fits-all process—it is relational, contextual and deeply human.

Our work is guided by two interwoven frameworks:

· Our Pillars, which express the areas of impact we focus on; and

· How We Work, which describes the principles and practices that shape how we deliver services across each pillar.

Together, these frameworks ensure that everything we offer is not only purpose driven but also relational and transformative.

At Cygnet, our values guide everything we do. They are more than principles, they are daily practices that shape our relationships, our systems work and our ways of being.

Mutual and Respectful Relationships

We cultivate respectful relationships with ourselves, others and all life. We embrace diversity and difference as we seek to recognise and affirm our interconnectedness. 

Empowering Authenticity

We seek to support the development of safe environments that foster connection, where people feel empowered towards responsibility and self-determination. We aspire to build authentic relationships where people feel free to express their own truth and to listen to the truth of others. 

Communication

We value deep listening and dialogue as pathways to the mutual understanding of our shared humanity. We seek to embrace the opportunities for growth and learning that conflict contains. We engage in difficult conversations with compassion, holding the wellbeing of all at the centre.

Courage

We balance humility with courage, meeting conflict with curiosity, naming harm with care and inviting accountability without blame.

Enquiry

We bring a spirit of enquiry to our work, inviting connection, reflection, reciprocal learning and responsive solutions to emerge from what is present and needed.

Community

We believe in the power of belonging. We nurture connection as a path to collaborative relationships were shared purpose leads to sustainable, thriving communities.

Justice

We are committed to restorative cultures that value, respect and uphold the dignity of all people. We advocate for equitable processes that elevate the voices of those who are often unheard and are intent on creating spaces for truth-telling, self-responsibility and repair.

Healing and Transformation

We believe in the possibility of transformation through creativity, connection and courage. We hold space for healing that honours the past while cultivating hopeful futures.

To advocate for the recognition of the fundamental social and political rights of all peoples, and for the identification and resolution of underlying systemic causes of conflict and adversity.

To inspire awareness and understanding of the transformative potential of restorative and peacebuilding approaches, in order to advance their application across a range of settings.

To enhance and promote mutual and respectful relationships that nurture intrinsic awareness of interconnection.

To empower individuals and groups to enhance the viability of their communities through restorative and peace building principles and practices.

To develop and deliver restorative and peacebuilding skills and solutions that offer creative, collaborative approaches to resolving conflict and responding to adversity.

To foster the growth of peaceful, inclusive societies and effective, accountable institutions that provide access to justice for all.