A Call to Be Brave and Make Change for National Reconciliation Week

By Kerrie Gottliebsen

The National Reconciliation Week 2022 theme, “Be Brave. Make Change.” is a challenge to all Australians— individuals, families, communities, organisations and government—to Be Brave and tackle the unfinished business of reconciliation so we can Make Change for the benefit of all Australians.

National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June) is a time to learn about shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how we can all contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

Cultural Safety at Tweddle

Tweddle’s new Strategic Plan (2021-2024) outlines our commitment to practicing cultural safety across all areas of the organisation and building stronger relationships with organisations that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.

Tweddle is dedicated to continued partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities, and organisations to continuously improve and build upon achievements towards reconciliation. Trauma caused by colonisation and a history of injustice and inequity continues to affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and their access to the health service system.

Tweddle’s RAP Journey

Tweddle joined the reconciliation movement in 2020 with the launch of our Reflect – Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). We are now embarking on our RAP Innovate which is designed to develop and test the foundations established in the RAP Reflect.

As part of Tweddle’s RAP journey, we commissioned Dixon Patten, proud Yorta Yorta and Gunnai man and Director/Graphic Artist at Bayila Creative to illustrate our Tweddle RAP Reflect. The artwork tells the story of Tweddle’s commitment to Reconciliation with the Aboriginal community.

Tweddle’s RAP Reflect was an important marker in Tweddle’s commitment and the process of reconciliation. As part of our RAP Reflect, Tweddle has delivered the following objectives;

• Establishment of an Aboriginal Health and Wellbeing working group with Aboriginal representation
• Participation in National Reconciliation Week
• Staff cultural awareness and Asking the Question training completed
• NAIDOC week celebrations
• Acknowledging Traditional Custodians Policy and Procedure development
• Acknowledgment of Country and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags displayed in prominent places such as reception and meeting rooms
• A calendar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dates of significance created and communicated to all staff

Tweddle’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program provides a framework that will enable us to support the national reconciliation movement. Tweddle’s vision for reconciliation is that all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies and children in Victoria grow up in a secure environment, supported by strong families with a cultural connection to community.

Tweddle believes in working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to develop an understanding of transgenerational trauma impacts. This is important to us because we believe in delivering inclusive practice and programs in the best interest of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies, children, and families.

Improving pathways and access to programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families is a priority.

Tweddle is committed to providing accessible, inclusive practices and programs in the best interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and families for a safe, thriving, and strong start to life.

The Uluru Statement from the Heart is an invitation to the Australian people and a call for the establishment of a First Nations Voice enshrined in the Constitution and a Makarrata Commission to supervise a process of agreement-making and truth-telling about our history.

Find out more about National Reconciliation Week    #NRW2022 #BeBraveMakeChange

Tweddle’s RAP Artwork

As part of Tweddle’s RAP journey, we commissioned this Indigenous artwork, created by Dixon Patten, proud Yorta Yorta and Gunnai man and Director/Graphic Artist at Bayila Creative. The artwork tells the story of Tweddle’s commitment to Reconciliation with the Aboriginal community.

The ‘U’ shape symbols in the middle depict key people forming the RAP committee and coming together to listen, share and support.

The ripple patterns represent the positive effect on the broader community that the RAP actions will have.

The 2 outreached hands represent the ancestors guiding Tweddle’s RAP journey.

The gum leaves represent being ‘Welcomed to Country’.

The figures holding hands represent children and families supporting, nurturing and protecting each other.

The footprints depict Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people walking together in reconciliation.

The emu and kangaroo tracks are on Australia’s Coat of Arms; chosen because they can’t walk backwards. They are also very paternal and nurture their young.

The pathways lead to different directions and the circles represent the diverse smaller communities that come together to form our big community.

The Boomerangs depict returning to culture values and principles to inform how we learn and teach each other in the spirit of reconciliation.

Reconciliation in Australia