BCHS Reflect RAP V6 HR - Flipbook - Page 7
Foreword
On behalf of Bendigo Community Health
Services, we are proud to introduce this
Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
This is an important phase of our journey
to partner respectfully with Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples as we walk
towards reconciliation.
In the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart,
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
issued an invitation for all Australians 8to
walk with us in a movement of the Australian
people for a better future9.
The statement followed a historic consensus
at a constitutional convention of Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander leaders, to seek to
change the Australian Constitution to give
First Australians a real voice in our federal
parliament.
The focus is on voice, treaty and truth.
With the key elements of the statement
being voice, treaty and truth 3 Bendigo
Community Health Services recognises the
role we play in seeking ways reconciliation
can be achieved in our workplaces and
community.
Respect and recognition are key values
supporting strong relationships between
ourselves and many of our partners 3 values
we have upheld since our early days almost
50 years ago.
Among our many valued partnerships are
those with local Aboriginal communities.
Currently, we partner with Bendigo and
District Aboriginal Co-operative in our shared
aim to deliver quality healthcare services,
and actively support the annual Bendigo
Reconciliation and NAIDOC Week activities.
Reconciliation is an essential element of
who we are and what we strive to achieve.
It is renected in our core values and our
commitment to respectful relationships, to
seek deeper understanding and to support
opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander peoples.
We centre this Renect RAP on the three
pillars of Relationships, Respect and
Opportunities, while also holding dear
the principles of self-determination, to
ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
communities can meet their social, cultural
and economic needs. The principles of
justice, democracy, respect for human
rights, equality, non-discrimination, good
governance and good faith all form elements
of the foundational principle of selfdetermination.
This RAP provides a framework to translate
our principles into action. By embedding
these principles into policies and operational
paradigms, we will continue to build
strong and respectful partnerships with
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,
organisations and communities.
We are prepared to be informed, stand
together and work through the challenges
ahead in good faith.
Mandy Hutchinson,
Chief Executive
Ofocer
Melanie Eddy,
Chair Board
of Directors
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