NRHA adopts Reconciliation Action Plan

The National Rural Health Alliance has adopted a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) following its approval by Reconciliation Australia prior to the recent CouncilFest meeting of the Alliance Council.

The Alliance Council called for the development of the RAP at its 2017 face-to-face meeting, and the document was developed by the Alliance’s RAP Working Group chaired by Board Secretary, Geri Malone.

The RAP commits the Alliance to work to overcome the legacy of racial discrimination in our society. It establishes a plan of action that encompasses broad activities over the next 12 months with deliverables and timelines.

The RAP activities aim to:

• build internal and external relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities and to work to improve their health outcomes;
• ensure effective communications are maintained with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peak health organisations and Alliance Member bodies to develop partnerships and collaboration;
• investigate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural learning and development and promote cultural awareness and safety as key principles that inform the work of the Alliance;
• seek opportunities to enhance Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment and service supply opportunities; and
• identify leadership and mentoring opportunities by the Alliance for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people specifically in rural health.

To celebrate the RAP’s approval, the Alliance commissioned an artwork by Ngambri-Ngunnawal elder, Matilda House. The work depicts eagles as the keepers of the land, looking down on country and protecting the vital food and water resources.