Advancing our Reconciliation Action Plan

We are committed to listening and respecting the voices of First Nations people and are dedicated to working together to advance and embrace health, well-being, and equity for and with Aboriginal people in the region.

In 2023/24 we:

Committed to improving health outcomes of Aboriginal people and their communities by partnering with Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations.

Established two Aboriginal Health Councils with representation across the northern and southern regions, to help drive improvements in health care accessibility and outcomes for our region.

Began creating localised cultural competency videos to equip and support general practices to provide culturally safe and appropriate care for Aboriginal people, as well as other groups.

Localised cultural competency videos

COORDINARE travelled around the region from Wollongong, Queanbeyan, Goulburn and Wallaga Lake, to interview and film local Aboriginal community members. The filmed content will be used to develop an online learning package that educates general practice staff and other healthcare providers in culturally safe and appropriate health care.

We contracted cultural educator Errolyn Strang to facilitate a discussion with Narooma’s Ron Mason and Lynette Goodwin, and Uncle Warren Foster from Wallaga Lake. They yarned about accessing health care, what good health care looks like and the ongoing importance of COVID vaccinations.

Learn more

We think it is important for our doctors to see local faces and local places to give that personal connection. We are dedicated to providing support for mainstream providers as well as engaging with local community members and supporting local Aboriginal business.

Kaleena Webbe

COORDINARE Associate Director, Primary Care Development

On country experiences

The RAP Working Group, with the support of the Executive, arranged an opportunity for staff to participate in ‘on country’ experiences during National Reconciliation Week 2024 in Nowra, Moruya, Fyshwick and Wollongong. Reconciliation and working together to Close the Gap with our Aboriginal communities continues to be a priority for us.

There were 30 staff members who attended and participated in many traditional experiences such as learning about the importance and healing properties of plants, how to throw a boomerang, weaving and yarning opportunities, and gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation of our First Nation’s culture.

It was incredible. I was unaware of just how much plants and landmarks play a role in connection to country. Our Aboriginal culture should be shared more, I now have a greater understanding and respect. It was wonderful to be outside, learning, yarning and connecting with each other.

COORDINARE staff member

The on country experience was amazing! It provided a great insight into the local history of the land and the important connections that people hold to it.

COORDINARE staff member

This experience just strengthened how I incorporate Aboriginal experiences in both my professional and personal life.

COORDINARE staff member

I have better understanding of the connectedness and deep knowledge of Aboriginal people and their environment, and how central that is to health and wellbeing.

COORDINARE staff member

A wonderful experience, being able to learn more about the region and history of where we live and work from our traditional custodians.

COORDINARE staff member

Want to find out more?

Visit COORDINARE’s Aboriginal health webpage to access more information and resources.

Click here