Like many organisations across the country, Vision Australia has this week recognised National Reconciliation Week and the significance its message holds for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
This year, National Reconciliation Week carries the message of “Now More Than Ever”, which reinforces the need for a continued effort by all to advance Australia’s reconciliation efforts.
Rachael Ramsdale, Vision Australia’s Equity and Inclusion Advisor, said Vision Australia’s work to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples aligns with this year’s National Reconciliation Week theme.
“Our work is driven by our Reconciliation Action Plan which really emphasises our focus on how we connect with and support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, both as clients and as part of our workforce,” Rachael said.
“A lot of our work has really been shaped by the invaluable knowledge of those First Nations Peoples we have built relationships with, and we are forever appreciative for their guidance.”
“We’ve always supported First Nations people across Australia, but our Reconciliation Action Plan has helped us reassess and improve how we do that. Our focus now is on building stronger connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to understand how we can support members of those communities in a culturally safe way and ensure that we’re accessible to them.”
“We also want that cultural safety and accessibility to extend to our workplace. We’re an organisation that really values having a diverse workforce and the Reconciliation Action Plan has really helped us understand how we can create a workplace that is welcoming to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.”
Implementing change
At a practical level, Vision Australia has seen significant progress across both the client and workforce front in recent years.
After a successful pilot program in Alice Springs, a permanent presence has been established in Broome. These two initiatives have allowed Vision Australia to connect with First Nations communities in both locations and provide much needed services in a more efficient manner than via fly-in fly-out services.
Through the organisation, practices such as Acknowledgement of Country have become commonplace across Vision Australia, while the Reconciliation Action Plan artwork has been incorporated into uniforms and collateral.
National Reconciliation Week
As part of National Reconciliation Week, a special event was held at Vision Australia’s headquarters in Melbourne, with a Welcome to Country led by Wurundjeri Elder, Aunty Julieanne Axford, accompanied by Kiernan Ironfield of the Dharug People who played the yidaki.
Nartarsha Bamblett of the Yorta Yorta, Kurnai, Warlpiri & Wiradjuri Peoples performed a song in language, embracing the connection between people and place.
“National Reconciliation Week is an important week across Australia and one we treat with significance at Vision Australia,” Rachael said.
“As an organisation, events like this allow us to collectively reflect on the progress we have made on our reconciliation pathway and ensure that future efforts are heading in the right direction.
“It’s also a great opportunity for our workforce to connect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and understand more about their connections to the lands on which we work.”