The reconciliation action plan calls on Australia to amend past issues for its indigenous communities ©Getty Images

Athletics Australia is set to expand and revamp its First Nations and reconciliation action plan (RAP) advisory group, with indigenous Olympians from the country lending their voice as part of the consultation process.

Atlanta 1996 men's 110 metres hurdles finalist, Kyle Vander-Kuyp, is one athlete bringing his knowledge to the table, along with Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games men's discus champion Benn Harradine.

They are joined by sprinter Caitlin Sargent, a former ambassador for the Australian Institute of Sport Share a Yarn programme, which looks to build relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Prominent indigenous leaders are set to be part of the reconciliation plan consultation too.

Bianca Graham, who was part of the first female Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Indigenous Marathon Project squad, remains a member of the working group like she had been since its formation.

Former coach and reconciliation consultant Brett Leavy will join the group - as does Athletics West Board member Rishelle Hume, who brings nearly three decades of experience to the role.

Kyle Vander-Kuyp is one of the athletes on the working group ©Getty Images
Kyle Vander-Kuyp is one of the athletes on the working group ©Getty Images

Diversity and inclusions department leader at National Rugby League and Rugby Australia Casey Conway and reconciliation expert Julie Jackson are new additions too.

"Sport is a powerful vehicle to unite, inspire and drive social change," said Athletics Australia general manager for growth and development Adam Bishop.

"Over the past few years since the launch of our Innovate RAP, Athletics Australia has endeavoured to use its platform to decrease barriers to athletic participation for First Nations communities, and has strived to become a sport that brings together people of all cultures and all backgrounds.

"The overhaul and expanded remit of our First Nations and reconciliation action plan advisory group signifies our next step on our reconciliation journey as we look to harness the power of athletics to deepen and strengthen this engagement and impact."

Reconciliation comes nearly three decades after the nation's most famous athlete, Cathy Freeman, infamously waved the Aboriginal and Australian flags at the Victoria 1994 Commonwealth Games - then regarded as a controversial move.

By the Sydney 2000 Olympics, Freeman was a national hero, winning the women's 400m in front of a home crowd - a defining moment for indigenous people in Australia.