Reconciliation Action Plan
for 2012–14
About the Artist:
Reanna Bono is a proud Wiradjuri and Wemba Wemba woman originally from Echuca in northern Victoria. In 2000, she moved to Melbourne to begin her career in Graphic Design by studying a Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) at Swinburne University.
Over the past 10 years since completing her degree, Reanna has focused her career on creating Aboriginal specifi c designs for the wider Victorian Aboriginal community and various Aboriginal government sectors. This has given her the opportunity to not only create her own digital Aboriginal designs, but to work with Aboriginal artwork from artists from across the state, to create various forms of printed media.
Reanna still lives in Melbourne with her husband and two beautiful daughters, while working at the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency (VACCA) as their in house Graphic Designer. As well, she has just embarked on her own journey, creating her own business ‘Yakuwa Graphic Design’, offering culturally appropriate graphic design solutions to her clients. Reanna has real passion for her work, which allows her to connect with her culture, while telling a story in a new way in this digital age that we now live.
Description of Artwork:
The artwork depicts a sense of struggle that the Aboriginal community has with their health and how we are growing together and getting stronger, reaching out to each other, connecting to each other and our culture.
The connections between the fi gures, represent the journey we take as we move through our lives, taking different paths, making different choices along the way. However, the paths all lead back to each other, uniting us together, making us stronger in culture and in health.
Essentially it is about how we connect with each other and make each other stronger along our journey of life.
Message from our CEO
The APA is very proud to have developed a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)
to ensure our organisation creates meaningful relationships and sustainable
opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
As a member-based organisation, the APA has an extensive national network
that can have a direct infl uence on providing leadership and value in the area of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
We strongly believe in access to physiotherapy for all Australians, and that
improving APA’s relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations
and communities will help to facilitate better access health services to ensure
progress is made in Closing the Gap in life expectancy.
Initially, the RAP will focus on the internal operations of the APA. Over time, the
RAP will require the APA to modify its culture to one that actively promotes equity,
diversity and inclusivity. Future iterations will require greater member involvement to
ensure its meaningfulness to members and their clients and patients.
I would like to formally acknowledge and thank the APA’s Indigenous Health
Committee and the RAP working group on their hard work and dedication in
delivering our inaugural RAP.
We look forward to achieving key milestones and successes in the near future.
Cris Massis
Chief Executive Offi cer
Vision for reconciliation
Our vision for reconciliation is that
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples have equitable access to
physiotherapy to help in Closing
the Gap in life expectancy between
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples and other Australians.
Our business
The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) is the national peak body
representing the interests of Australian physiotherapists and their patients and
has over 60 staff located throughout Australia. The APA has an important role in
advocacy with government and non-government organisations; facilitates wider
professional learning through its continuing professional development program,
titling and specialisation pathways; and facilitates high quality research and
communications. The APA has a vision to be a focus of excellence for the global
physiotherapy community, and believes that all Australians should have access to
quality physiotherapy, when and where required, to optimise health and wellbeing.
Physiotherapists work with, educate, and customise treatment programs for people
affected by a wide range of conditions and symptoms, and are one of the largest
groups of health professionals. Physiotherapists work in a variety of health settings,
for example, public and private hospitals, community health centres, Aboriginal
Community Controlled Health Orgaisations and in private practices. They are
located in all areas of Australia, and the physiotherapy workforce has enormous
potential to assist Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders prevent and manage chronic
conditions, as well as acute and sub-acute problems.
Our RAP
The APA’s Indigenous Health Committee (IHC) recommended that the APA develop
a Reconciliation Action Plan—a recommendation that was endorsed by the
APA’s Board of Directors in 2011. The RAP working group was established, with
representatives from the APA’s Board of Directors, staff, branches and the Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander membership. The working group undertook cross cultural
awareness training before embarking on the drafting of the RAP, and then sought
feedback from within the APA staff and membership, as well as key stakeholders.
The RAP has been structured around the three key areas of relationships, respect
and opportunities. But in order to align the activities with the APA’s strategic goals,
the plan has been further broken down to refl ect APA’s three pillars of value,
knowledge and voice. This will enable to APA to better incorporate RAP activities
in to the APA’s day-to-day operations as well as into the organisation’s strategic
direction.
On 8 December 2012 the Board of Directors formally approved the fi nal draft,
which was subsequently endorsed by Reconciliation Australia. The APA is proud to
commence the implementation of its fi rst RAP.
Relationships The APA understands that strong relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples, including an understanding of culture and needs, will lead to improved health outcomes. The APA believes in access to physiotherapy for all Australians, and that improving the APA’s relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities will help to facilitate better access to help in Closing the Gap in life expectancy.
Action Responsible
division Timeline Measurable target Value
Examination of the roles of the Indigenous
Health Committee (IHC) Advocacy and International Relations Division
May 2014 Review of terms of reference completed
Continuation of the RAP working group to support the implementation of the plan, report on progress, review and drafting of the RAP going forward into 2014.
Advocacy and International Relations Division
December
2013 3 Meetings held for the working group. 2 Reports submitted to
Reconciliation Australia and a draft of 2014–2015 plan developed
In consultation with the IHC, develop a planned activity and article in InMotion regarding National Reconciliation Week
Advocacy and International Relations Division
July 2014 1 planned activity 1 InMotion article Develop closer relationships with key
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and community organisations.
APA leadership July 2014 Regular contact with relevant organisations and creation of a relationship database
Knowledge
Development of a suite of culturally
appropriate marketing materials to promote the benefi ts of physiotherapy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Marketing and
Communications December 2013 Consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health organisations undertaken, and identifi cation of the most appropriate general APA materials for the basis of new documents
Facilitation of access to cross cultural awareness training for physiotherapists, APA members and practice staff.
Learning and
Development June 2014 3 targeted communications regarding the availability of relevant PD
Voice
Increased presence at Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander health events. Marketing and Communications June 2014 Development of a calendar of events and plan for APA participation with at least 1 planned event for the year Development of an Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander advocacy plan to promote relationship building with key people and organisations.
Advocacy and
International Relations August 2013 Development of priorities list and plan for implementation of advocacy objectives
Kate & the “Footy Means Business” National Team. Dreamtime Round at the MCG 2013. An initiative of Rio Tinto and the AFL
Respect The APA recognises that respect is integral to individual wellbeing. The APA believe in improving the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through
physiotherapists gaining greater understanding & knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, land and history.
Action Responsible
division Timeline Measurable target Value
Reconciliation message incorporated into
APA on hold message Corporate Services September 2013 Hold message updated in National offi ce and all branches Creation of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander safe space on the APA website Marketing and Communications December 2013 New section uploaded to the APA website Exhibition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander art at APA offi ces Corporate Services June 2014 Art updated or acquired and displayed appropriately Recognition of land and culture signature on
APA email signatures Marketing and Communications August 2013 Signature template updated and circulated to all APA staff APA properties and land appropriately
recognise the local traditional landholders in each APA building
Corporate services December
2013 APA signs updated Development of a Welcome to Country/
Acknowledgement of Country policy for all APA events
Advocacy and
International Relations January 2013 Policy completed and distributed to all APA staff and stakeholders
Exploration of opportunities to recognise physiotherapists working in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health
Membership December
2013 Branch councils develop & implement awards acknowledgement and recognition processes. Embed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
health into APA National Groups annual work plans Professional Development (National Groups team) January
2014 All APA groups consider Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and/or needs in their annual work plans
Communicate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander practitioners’ stories to the membership as part of NAIDOC Week
Marketing and
Communications July 2014 InMotion article/feature published Press release distributed
Kate mentoring young Aboriginal girls with the Dave Wirrpanda Foundation
Respect The APA recognises that respect is integral to individual wellbeing. The APA believe in improving the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through
physiotherapists gaining greater understanding,& knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, land and history.
Action Responsible
division Timeline Measurable target Knowledge
Work towards increasing the APA’s
involvement with and publication of research around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health in the Journal of Physiotherapy and at conferences
Advocacy and
International Relations December 2013 Feed into the implementation of the physiotherapy research review
Open or increase dialogue with the Council of Physiotherapy Deans of Australia and New Zealand (CPDANZ) around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health content in physiotherapy programs
APA Leadership December 2013
Develop a pathway to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content in entry level physiotherapy courses Promotion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander culture and health issues during the 2013 APA conference Learning and Development (Conference and Events Team) October
2013 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander event included in the 2013 APA Conference program Open or increase collaboration with the
Australian Physiotherapy Council around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health elements in the Australian Physiotherapy Standards
APA Leadership December
2013 Discussions held around a pathway to increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander content in the Australian Physiotherapy Standards Cross cultural awareness training included as
induction for APA staff
Human Resources December 2013
The APA executive leadership team to have completed training by the end of the year and all new staff are provided with training as part of their induction.
Voice
Identify opportunities for promotion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health information and cultural awareness on APA social media outlets
Marketing and
Communications February 2014 Plan for identifying relevant information as part of division annual plan
Opportunities The APA aims to ensure inclusive and equitable opportunities are provided to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to train as physiotherapists, to receive physiotherapy treatment and in employment . We understand the value this contribution will provide to enhance mutual respect, relationships, and the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
Action Responsible
division Timeline Measurable target Knowledge
Develop an APA employment policy around
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff Human Resources December 2013 Employment policy developed and statement of encouragement for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders to apply in all future staff vacancy communications
Begin process to develop a target for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees within the APA
Human Resources December
2013 Development of an appropriate target and action plan for implementation
Review of policies and procedures for obtaining quotes from service providers to promote supplier diversity
December
2013 Develop data base of Indigenous suppliers Facilitate the development of a network of
physiotherapists as mentors for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people and physiotherapy students
December
2013 Project scoped and potential partners identifi ed
Identify availability of funding for research for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health initiatives
Advocacy and
International Relations June 2013 Appropriate grants identifi ed and mechanism for distribution of information to the
membership developed Voice
Raise the profi le of physiotherapy as a career option amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people
Marketing and Communications/ Membership
December
2013 Appropriate resources developed and approaches made to organisations who could partner with the APA Ensure that an Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander perspective are considered in all policy development and advocacy activities
Advocacy and
International Relations January 2013 Appropriate target and action plan included in division annual plan
Promote the role of physiotherapy as a key component of the ‘Closing the Gap’ campaign
Advocacy and
International Relations December 2013 Physiotherapy representation on relevant committees Kate Malpass National NAIDOC
National NAIDOC Youth of the Year
Kate Malpass
Kate Malpass is a Noongar girl from Perth and Australia’s most recent Aboriginal
physiotherapy graduate. Kate has been awarded the highest honour by the
National NAIDOC Awards Committee National Youth of the Year for her work with
the Aboriginal Community and promoting physiotherapy as a career for young
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders
Kate had interaction with physio as a child and at 13 years of age she represented
WA in basketball at the Under 16 National Championships and went on to captain
WA teams in the under 16s, 18s and 20s. At 15 years of age she was selected for
the Australian junior camp, and travelled to the AIS to train.
Education was always important in Kate’s family so when she graduated from
Mercedes College in 2005 Kate was awarded the Henrietta Drake Award for
achieving the highest TER of any WA Indigenous student. She was also awarded
the Mercedes Medal—for outstanding achievements in her fi nal year at high school.
Kate chose physio as a career and while completing her physiotherapy degree she
managed to play four years of WNBL with the Perth Lynx and West Coast Waves.
She has continued to play basketball since completing her degree and moving to
Melbourne this year. Kate now captains the Sandringham Sabres in the SEABL
competition. She mentors young Aboriginal women through the David Wirrpanda
Foundation.
Off the court, Kate works at the Richmond Football Club as the fi rst Aboriginal
physiotherapist.
Kate is also the head physio for the under 16 AFL Australian Flying Boomerangs
football team that competed at the Under 16 National Championships. She will be
travelling internationally with them later this year.
The APA is extremely proud of Kate’s achievements and those of other Aboriginal
Torres Strait Islander physiotherapists working around Australia. There are 35
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander graduates in total.
The APA is committed to supporting more Aboriginal people like Kate to become
physiotherapists who can provide leadership for the profession and deliver culturally
appropriate physiotherapy to Aboriginal people and contribute to Closing the Gap in
Aboriginal Health.
Right: Kate coaching basketball Right middle: Kate with Football legend and anti racism campaigner Nicky Winmar at the Dreamtime Game 2013 - the 20th Anniversary of his stand against Racism
Far right: National NAIDOC Youth of the Year Kate Malpass
Right: Kate Malpass
Far right: Kate with a patient
Tracking progress and reporting
Action Responsible
division Timeline Measurable target Completion of a RAP implementation
plan for the
• Advocacy and International Relations Division
• Corporate Services Division
• Learning and Development Division • Membership Division
• Marketing and Communications Division
All Divisions Feb 2013 Incorporated into Division annual work and performance plans
Report to Reconciliation Australia on achievements & challenges for inclusion in the annual Impact Measurement Questionnaire
Sept 2014 RAP progress to be reported each year to Reconciliation Australia
Kate and Colleagues at the David Wirrpanda Foundation
