BaptistCare was delighted to launch its first Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) during National Reconciliation Week. This historic milestone was marked with a special dinner, acknowledging the many people involved in the RAP development and BaptistCare’s commitment to strengthening relationships between First Nations and non-Indigenous Australians. Uncle Colin Locke, a local Dharug elder performed a Welcome to Country and the Jannawi Dance Clan entertained guests with beautiful traditional Dharug dances.
Developed in collaboration with Reconciliation Australia, the RAP reflects the BaptistCare core value of Respect, and sets out a plan to achieve their vision for reconciliation which is to;
“Acknowledge past and present wrongs and injustices, build and embed cultural safety and create safe spaces across our whole organisation, so we can work towards healing and walking together.”
BaptistCare worked closely with various stakeholders including staff and pastors from the Baptist Churches of NSW/ACT to develop the Reflect RAP, participating in interactive workshops that explored the meaning of reconciliation.
Co-Champions of the RAP, Sharon Reddy and Elizabeth Hukins, said:
“Our RAP is a journey for all of us. We encourage everyone to get behind this commitment to drive positive change and improve opportunities for First Nations colleagues and clients within BaptistCare and the communities we serve. We can all be a voice for Reconciliation.”
With the theme of ‘Be a Voice for Generations,’ National Reconciliation Week (27 May to 3 June 2023) was a timely opportunity to launch the RAP and share BaptistCare’s commitment to reconciliation.
Thank you to everyone who has been involved in the development of the BaptistCare RAP.
You can read BaptistCare’s Reflect RAP here
