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About

Bringing our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan to life

RAP artwork by Gary Saunders
Our RAP artwork created by artist Gary Saunders

Thursday 28 April 2022

We launched our second Reconciliation Action Plan – our Innovate RAP – in a special online event featuring some auspicious guests.

Hosted by Executive Sponsor Brit Gordon, Chief Allied Health Officer, the event featured presentations from Jill Gallagher AO, CEO of Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO), renowned musician and activist Kutcha Edwards, children from the Austin Health Childcare Centre and a Welcome to Country from Aunty Julieanne Axford from the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation.

“Our Innovate RAP steps up from our first Reflect RAP and sets out the actions we will take to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples”, said Brit.

“Our vision for reconciliation is one where all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have access to just, equitable and culturally safe healthcare.”

The RAP outlines our commitment to:

  • embedding the voices and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples into the co-design of culturally safe and appropriate care
  • building strong and enduring relationships including community stakeholders, suppliers and our employees
  • creating an environment across all our sites where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are welcomed, valued and respected.
  • truth telling and improving institutional knowledge and understanding of the traumatic impact of unjust policies, practices, structures and racism on health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

The RAP outlines key actions we will take over the next two years, divided into the four pillars of Relationships, Respect, Opportunities and Governance.

Our RAP was developed in consultation with employees and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees, Austin Health Board and Executive, Closing the Gap Steering Committee and RAP Working Group. We also received input from 150 staff through consultation sessions and an online survey.
It features beautiful artwork by artist Gary Saunders.

Read our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2022-24.