Reconciliation

A step towards unity

We have an ongoing commitment to engaging with First Nations people in line with our Catholic ethos, which is to value and respect all human life.

Our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)

In January 2024, our first Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) received endorsement by Reconciliation Australia. The development and endorsement of our Reflect RAP is an important step for SCCQ. It formalises our commitment to reconciliation and enables us to take meaningful action towards reconciliation. We will be working across all of our communities in which we serve towards reducing the gap of inequality experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Setting a path for meaningful action

Now that our RAP has been endorsed, we can work towards delivering meaningful action that solidifies our commitment to reconciliation. Our Reflect RAP aims to:

Raise awareness and promote reconciliation among our staff
Grow and further develop our current partnerships with First Nations Peoples
Connect with various local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the areas we serve to listen to and learn from their story, and seek out how we can journey together in the communities we serve

Our RAP working group is committed to championing our Reflect RAP, ensuring we carry out the actions set out in our Reflect RAP. If you would like to reach out to our Reflect RAP working group for any discussion about our reconciliation journey or to connect with us, please contact John Manouk: john.manouk@sccqld.com.au

Community, Care and Connection

In 2023, contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artist, Wendy Rix, was commissioned to create artwork to celebrate the reconciliation journey at SCCQ. Wendy is a proud Yuwaalaraay woman, born in Dirranbandi. Her family are from Goodooga in New South Wales. Wendy has works displayed overseas and around Australia.

Wendy explained the significance behind the artwork: “The organisation is represented by the meeting place by the coast it is the large circle at the bottom right corner. The cross is in the centre with all the other services spread throughout the region. They are all connected by long journey lines – physical journey, as well as spiritual, of individuals, staff, clients and community. U shapes represent people. The hands represent care. The cracked mud effect is my representation of my country, hot and dry. It is also everyone’s connection to our land.”

Community partnerships

Partnerships are the cornerstone of reconciliation, fostering understanding, collaboration, and mutual respect. We collaborate with and take guidance from industry and community stakeholders so together we add value to the community and those we serve. By embracing diverse perspectives and working together, we can pave the way for healing and progress towards a shared future of reconciliation. We have already started to build some strong partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, including:

Goondir Health Services, whose vision is to improve the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to a standard at least equal to that of the wider Australian community by providing holistic health care and medical services that meet best practice standards.
Selectability, an aged care provider servicing the Gulf Communities of Mornington Island, Doomadgee, and Normanton, providing aged care services for First Nations peoples on these lands

We hope to further develop our partnerships and build new mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations. To connect with us, please contact John Manouk: john.manouk@sccqld.com.au

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge and pay respect to the traditional custodians of the land on which we live and work, and pay our respects to Elders past and present. We acknowledge their care of the land, waterways and sea and their continual cultural connection to Country as expressed through their history, music, language, songs, art and dancing.

We commit ourselves to actively work alongside First Nations people for reconciliation and justice.

Want to work with us?

To view current career opportunities please visit:

Jobs with Southern Cross Care Qld