Grampians Health commemorates National Reconciliation Week
Grampians Health is celebrating National Reconciliation Week with events across its campuses during the week.
The Aboriginal Health Team is leading events across campuses, to share histories, cultures, and achievements, and explore ways that we can all contribute to achieving reconciliation.
Grampians Health CEO Dale Fraser said National Reconciliation Week was a timely reminder of the work happening across the organisation since the Reconciliation Action Plan was launched.
“This week is a reminder of the importance of our role in building relationships and communities that value First Nations peoples, histories, culture and futures,” Mr Fraser said. “We are delighted to have Uncle Al Harris perform the didgeridoo for us, and to teach male team members the significance of the didgeridoo in Aboriginal culture.”
In addition to the Didgeridoo demonstration and lessons from Uncle Al who is a proud Noongar man, Grampians Health’s new First Nations Health Advisor Jessica Payne, a proud Yuwaalaraay woman, will lead a weaving circle for women.
“A weaving circle is central to Aboriginal culture as it goes beyond creating beautiful things to sharing knowledge, storytelling, connecting to Country, inviting mindfulness and much more,” Ms Payne said. “Both weaving and the didgeridoo are powerful ways that we can keep First Nations culture alive and share that culture with others.”
The First Nations Health Advisor role is new to Grampians Health, providing strategic cultural advice to our executive and clinical teams, and key stakeholders.
Staff across Grampians Health campuses have been invited to participate in a ‘Sea of Hands’ across sites for National Reconciliation Week. Team members can decorate and write their personal commitment to reconciliation on a cut out in the shape of a hand and display it for their colleagues to view.
The Grampians Health Executive Team and members of our Reconciliation Working Group joined a yarning circle with local Elders and our Aboriginal Health Liaison Office (AHLO) to commemorate Sorry Day. Our leadership team was privileged to listen to stories and experiences from our Elders, First Nations community and staff.
The theme of National Reconciliation Week for 2024 is ‘Now More than Ever’; a reminder that the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people will – and must – continue.
Grampians Health formalised our commitment to reconciliation through the Reconciliation Action Plan, which was launched in April this year. Learn more about the steps we’re taking here.
