Reflecting on National Reconciliation Week

As National Reconciliation Week draws to a close, we reflect on the theme of “Bridging now to next” and its importance in our ongoing journey towards reconciliation.

Reconciliation begins with a deeper understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. By immersing ourselves in stories, cultural experiences, and a spirit of continuous curiosity, we open doors to a richer understanding.

Our Commitment to Reconciliation

Reconciliation is a journey for all Australians – as individuals, families, communities, organisations, and importantly as a nation. It involves acknowledging the past, understanding the present, and working together to create a future where everyone has equal opportunities and respect.

We are proud of the project work we’ve undertaken to support First Nations communities, contributing to improving educational outcomes, enhancing wellbeing through access to clean water, and supporting economic development. Our efforts align with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs) and aim to close the gaps across health, education, justice, and employment.

WGA’s Commitment to Equality

Our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a testament to this commitment, and over the past 2 years, we have taken meaningful steps to advance reconciliation:

• Cultural Awareness and Education: Established Cultural Awareness Sessions with 50% national participation and developed cultural awareness guidance to support ongoing education opportunities across WGA.
• Inclusive Recruitment Practices: Reviewed and revised our recruitment processes to be more inclusive for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander candidates, including updates to our job advertisements, website career pages, options to capture cultural heritage data, and the development of First Nations recruiter relationships.
• Support for First Nations Businesses: Encouraged engagement and utilisation of Supply Nation’s supplier database to procure goods and services with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned and operated businesses.
• Cultural Protocols: Developed and shared Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country guidelines to build understanding of the purpose and significance behind cultural protocols.

As we move forward, our RAP Working Group will guide us to support initiatives that empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and build a stronger, more sustainable future through the delivery of social, cultural, and economic outcomes.

We are proud to continue our journey of reconciliation and to foster mutual understanding, respect, and unity.

Know more about our work in this space here.