Reconciliation
We continue to work toward our vision for reconciliation
This year saw Central and Eastern Sydney PHN transition from our 2nd to 3rd Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). The PHN’s third Innovate RAP, endorsed by Reconciliation Australia was officially launched in February 2024. The RAP’s underpinning themes continue to focus on the key foundations of relationships, respect, opportunities and governance.
The RAP reinforces our commitment as an organisation to fostering positive relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities, and ensuring our practices and programs reflect this vision. Our external Aboriginal Advisory Committee provides advice on the development of the plan and its strategies. Our internal RAP working group continues to meet monthly to monitor progress against implementation of the RAP. We report on progress against the RAP bi-annually to the Central and Eastern Sydney PHN Board and annually to Reconciliation Australia.
Commitment towards Reconciliation
In total Central and Eastern Sydney PHN completed 49 of the 56 RAP actions for the second RAP.
We have held three cultural training programs for GPs. Feedback received from the last cultural awareness training event reported high satisfaction with the content and presenters. There were 28 attendees at the training, of which 50% were GPs. 100% participants reported that they would recommend the training to a colleague.
We held seven cultural awareness training sessions for Central and Eastern Sydney PHN staff, two of which included community Elders invited as guest presenters.
Staff were invited to participate in cultural immersion activities, including a Walk on Country with a community Elder. During this reporting period, two events were scheduled in July and October.
During NAIDOC week in July 2023 we held a NAIDOC Elders Morning Tea with three local Elders which all staff were able to participate in both in person and remotely.
As part of the induction process for new starters, staff were taken through relevant training, protocols and engagement guidance documents.
In February, Central and Eastern Sydney PHN acknowledged the Anniversary of the Apology to Stolen Generations. All staff were invited to participate in a ‘lunch and learn’ session with a local Elder who is a direct descendent of a parent removed during the Stolen Generations. She aided staff understanding of intergenerational trauma, sharing the impact the experience had on her as a child and still today.
In November, to mark Men’s Health Week, we hosted two male Aboriginal presenters who spoke about how they maintained good physical and psychological health and wellbeing and used their culture as a protective factor.
Staff were invited to participate in a quiz to acknowledge National Reconciliation Week during 27 May-3 June. Information was distributed on local events and opportunities to engage with communities in the Central and Eastern Sydney region. Staff were encouraged to watch a list of recommended viewings from Reconciliation Australia on free to air TV. A short video was made involving staff to promote reconciliation on the PHN’s social media channels.
The launch event for the 3rd Innovare RAP in February was a great success. Two of the PHN’s commissioned service providers, Babana Aboriginal and Tribal Warrior, co-hosted the event.
There continues to be a strong emphasis on recruitment, training and development opportunities in the current RAP.
In the 2023-2025 Innovate RAP we have a total of 18 specific activities (5 for relationships, 3 for respect, 4 for opportunities and 5 for governance) with 87 deliverables (26 relationships, 19 respect, 21 opportunities and 21 governance).
