“Together we can learn together, walk together, and make the change together.”
– Uncle Albert McNamara
On Tuesday 2 September 2024, Richmond Wellbeing was proud to launch its inaugural Working Together, Walking Together (WTWT) Aboriginal Reconciliation Plan alongside staff, Board, Aboriginal Elders, sector partners, and community members.
The day began with a traditional Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony conducted by Uncle Peter Wilkes, before hearing from CEO Adrian Munro who shared the background of how the WTWT plan came to be, detailing its inception and the decade-long journey with Dr. Michael Wright and our Aboriginal Elders.
The launch featured insightful conversations between our Elders, Adrian Munro, and Richmond Wellbeing interim-chairperson Susan Milos. Each voiced their recommendations on the key actions within the WTWT plan and encouraged staff to become familiar with the plan, listen deeply, and be actively involved by working and walking together toward true reconciliation and closing the gap.
In a second panel discussion, Dr. Michael Wright and the Mental Health Commission’s Matt Richardson shared their broader views on reconciliation from two different perspectives, identifying some of the challenges of the past, those we continue to face, and what can be done in the future to bring us closer. This session further highlighted the importance of working alongside our Elders boodiya to boodiya (leader to leader).
Young aspiring Nyoongar artist, Lekisha Eades, was acknowledged through a video interview where she shared her journey of becoming an artist, the creative concept behind the ‘Embracing Our Spirit’ painting, and her future goals. Lekisha’s artwork is featured prominently through our WTWT plan and associated materials.
We were fortunate to experience an exceptionally powerful cultural performance by Ash Penfold-Garlett and the Corroboree for Life Aboriginal Dancers, who not only showcased their traditional dancing but shared their personal journeys, making the day extra special.
Richmond Wellbeing extends heartfelt thanks to all those who participated in the panel discussions and who attended the event to hear more and offer their support of this initiative.
While there is still a lot to learn and do, we look forward to continuing this journey as we work together, walk together and make the change together.
About Richmond Wellbeing’s Working Together, Walking Together Plan
Developed in consultation with Dr. Michael Wright and Aboriginal Elders Uncle Albert and Aunty Irene McNamara, and Uncle Peter and Aunty Sandra Wilkes, our WTWT plan aims to address the key issues impacting Aboriginal cultural safety in the workplace and the broader community by focusing on seven Excellence Criteria. These criteria provide a unique perspective on how Richmond Wellbeing can achieve and sustain organisational excellence by following the principles of the Debakarn Koorliny Wangkiny Conditions for Engagement Framework.
The seven Excellence Criteria focus on:
- Relationships
- Reciprocity
- Accountability and Responsibility
- Cultural Leadership
- Aboriginal Governance
- Cultural Security
- Respect and Integrity
View Richmond Wellbeing’s Working Together Walking Together plan and the seven Excellence Criteria.
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