National Reconciliation Week is an important time at Tweddle. It is a time to join with healthcare services nationally in celebrating culture, reflecting on how we are contributing toward reconciliation, and inspiring change.
National Reconciliation Week’s theme for 2024, Now More Than Ever, is a reminder to all of us at Tweddle that no matter what, the fight for justice and the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander babies, toddlers, their families and Communities must continue.
We know that the 6.2 million Australians who voted YES are committed to better outcomes for First Nations people.
How is Tweddle contributing towards Reconciliation?
At Tweddle there are many actions that we can do individually, and as a health organisation to defend and uphold the rights of First Nations peoples. How do we play a part?
- Reviewing our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) processes with the support of a Tweddle RAP Committee and external RAP Advisors.
- Continuing to learn about Aboriginal concepts of family, family decision-making and parenting.
- Understanding how we are meeting those needs and knowing our ‘gaps’, especially in the areas of cultural safety and connection.
- Improving Community relationships and staff cultural competency.
- Understanding how we help Tweddle babies and families to enjoy time on Country, ie gardens, nature, parks – how can we bring Country in? Artwork, plants, landscaping, murals, seating.
- Saying no to Racism and calling it out.
- Celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.
- Supporting Aboriginal children and families to be strong in culture and proud of their unique identity so that Aboriginal babies and toddlers have the best start in life.
- Ensuring Aboriginal children and families have access to Tweddle’s culturally appropriate services thereby, helping to reduce the over-representation of Aboriginal young people in care (Almost 30% of children in the out-of-home care system are Aboriginal, despite Aboriginal people representing less than 1% of the Victorian population).
National Reconciliation Week History
National Reconciliation Week (NRW) started as the Week of Prayer for Reconciliation in 1993 (the International Year of the World’s Indigenous Peoples) and was supported by Australia’s major faith communities.
In 1996, the Council for Aboriginal Reconciliation launched Australia’s first National Reconciliation Week. In 2001, Reconciliation Australia was established to continue to provide national leadership on reconciliation.
The dates for NRW remain the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates commemorate two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey— the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision respectively.
Tweddle’s National Reconciliation Week event
Tweddle is hosting a NRW afternoon tea on Wednesday 29th May at 2pm with catering by West Footscray based, Aboriginal owned Catering Company PAWA.
Our event aims to:
- Raise money for VACCA & Aboriginal children in care through an Afternoon Tea for Culture
- Raise money for Djirra, an Aboriginal organisation supporting Aboriginal victim/survivors of family violence.
- Increase awareness of reconciliation through the celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories, cultures and achievements
- Contribute to the improvement of relationships and respect between the wider Australian community and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
We invite you to donate to our Tweddle’s Morning Tea for Culture here
Tweddle Child and Family Health Service .’s team – Morning Tea For Culture 2024 (vacca.org)
You can also donate to Djirra supporting Aboriginal victim/survivors of family violence – GiveNow – Supporting Aboriginal women’s safety and wellbeing
