Reconciliation artwork designed by Aboriginal artist, Gary SaundersReconciliation artwork designed by Aboriginal artist, Gary Saunders, for Austin Health's Reconciliation Action PlanReconciliation artwork designed by Aboriginal artist, Gary Saunders, for Austin Health's Reconciliation Action Plan

About

Reconciliation

Reconciliation

Austin Health commits to playing a role in reconciliation, to improve the life expectancy of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
We acknowledge that we are on the land of the Wurundjeri people, and pay our respects to their Elders, past, present and future. We pay our respects to other Elders, and to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
 
We commit to creating a safe and welcoming environment for all Aboriginal people.
 
Our first Reconciliation Action Plan is finished. We're proud of what we achieved.

In employment

  • We employed an Aboriginal intern as part of the Barring Djinang internship program
  • We ran a work experience program for high school students
  • We created two new roles for Aboriginal staff
  • We employed an Aboriginal Employment Officer

In creating a welcoming environment

  • We put up Aboriginal artwork in many locations within our hospitals
  • We're planting indigenous trees to use in Smoking Ceremonies
  • We increased involvement in NAIDOC Week between 2018 and 2019
  • We ran cultural awareness training for senior leaders
  • Child Care Centre staff attended training at Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre
  • We have a new cultural awareness e-learning package for all staff
  • We have new Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country Guidelines
  • We've have an Acknowledgement of Country and flags on our website and in email signatures. From now on, we'll also use them in major publications
  • We share stories about local Aboriginal culture, communities, patients and staff
  • We will put up Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at all our hospitals

In procurement

  • We use suppliers that are Supply Nation-certified. This helps to create Aboriginal employment opportunities
  • We also invite Supply Nation-certified suppliers to respond to tenders where we can
  • We include Aboriginal employment as an evaluation criterion in some tenders

What's next?

The COVID-19 pandemic has delayed some of the work from our first RAP. In particular, NAIDOC Week celebrations will not take place until November.

We've started planning our second Reconciliation Action Plan.

We welcome Community to get involved. Please get in touch by emailing our Diversity and Inclusion or Ngarra Jarra teams.

Our RAPs build on existing programs, such as our Ngarra Jarra Aboriginal Health Program and Closing the Gap Committee.