National Reconciliation Week aims to build respectful and positive relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians.
A series of events took place on WebEx over Reconciliation Week, which aimed to build and strengthen these relationships. These events were all well-attended and received great employee feedback proving how valuable these types of events are in our Monash Health community.
The beginning of National Reconciliation Week was marked with a Welcome to Country, a traditional Aboriginal protocol, in which guests and neighbours are formally welcomed to Country, to pay respect to Aboriginal people and their connection to Country. This was performed by Wurundjeri Elder, Aunty Georgina Nicholson.
Below are some comments received during the event:
That was so beautiful, thank you Aunty Georgina for sharing. As a non-indigenous person, you will always have my empathy, support and respect.
Aunty Georgina, thank you for sharing your history and story. We can hear the heartbeat of your people through your words.
On Friday 28 May, Monash Health employees were invited to join Wayapa, an Indigenous wellbeing modality consisting of movement and meditation, connecting with 14 elements in nature. This practice was founded in Aboriginal wisdom in caring for and connecting to Country. Lead by Thaedra Frangos, a Wemba Wemba and Dhudhuroa woman, this session was well received by those in attendance with many leaving comments of gratitude:
Thank you for such a wonderful connection to body and earth. Loved it.
I loved the sensory, body connected way to be with this story of nature and the earth and moving through as a human. Thanks for that offering.
Thank you for the most amazing practice!
That was wonderful. Thank you so much. I tried it and it was fabulous.
On Tuesday 1 June, Ron Murray and Sarah James, performing as Kinja, a blend of Indigenous Australian and Celtic inspired music and some entertaining story telling from Ron.
The formal Nation Reconciliation Week events were wrapped up at the Employee Forum on Tuesday, with Associate Professor Misty Jenkins having a discussion to introduce our new Director Aboriginal Health, Kenton Winsley.
Misty highlighted the importance of recognising Reconciliation Week at Monash Health while highlighting that work still needs to be done.
This discussion allowed for Kenton to share what his goal is as the Director Aboriginal Health, this being that Monash Health is a service where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a sense of belonging and access to a health service that is responsive to cultural needs.
“Diversity is about having a seat at the table, inclusion is about having a voice, the aim for our organisation is to hear those voices”.
Thank you to all who joined in on our National Reconciliation Week events.
Approved by Julia Oxley