Our team was honoured to be welcomed by the Bagot Community for the launch of our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) in the Northern Territory. The event was opened with a Welcome to Country performed by Larrakia person Edwin Fejo, followed by a smoking ceremony performed by Kiyuy woman Natalie Harwood and Kiyuk / Malak Malak women Sheila and Valemina White.
CEO Tina Holtom spoke passionately about Child Australia’s commitment to fostering reconciliation, respecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and empowering children. She highlighted the transformative journey of healing and understanding that Reconciliation represents and stressed the importance of educating all children about these cultures. Our CEO outlined the key actions in the Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan, including increasing First Nations representation in the workforce, ensuring culturally safe programs, advocating for better outcomes for First Nations children and strengthening community partnerships.
During the launch, Connie Borg, our RAP Champion, mentioned the journey that the RAP committee had been on so far. She highlighted how the RAP champions from each service and program area had found their collective voices to promote what Reconciliation means in their respective settings. Connie discussed the engagement of Rosie Paine, a proud Yilka/ Wongutha/ Noongar/ Yamatji artist, who designed the artwork that captured the essence of Child Australia’s operations across all lands, which has been used as a basis for the organisation’s new uniforms.
After the ceremony and launch, all leaders were presented with their own print and plaque depicting the story of the RAP artwork. These plaques serve as a symbol of unity and will be displayed prominently across all Child Australia settings. Each plaque features the story of the artwork, including the local word for ‘child’:
- Bagot: Bambatj
- Larapinta: Ampe
- Hedland: Kurlukurlu
- Geraldton: Mayu
- Perth: Koorlang
- Darwin: Nimeybirra
Although our offices, programs, and services may be separated by distance, Child Australia’s Reflect RAP unites us with a common goal of achieving Reconciliation. Our organisation is committed to integrating the 5 dimensions of Reconciliation- unity, race relations, equality and equity, institutional integrity, and historical acceptance… to ensure a more harmonious society now and well into the future.
We are proud to have taken another step in our commitment to working towards a more just and equitable Australia for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
