10 July 2026
At Southern Cross Care (SCC), reconciliation is more than a commitment on paper. It is an ongoing journey shaped by listening, learning and building meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across our communities.
To mark National NAIDOC Week this year, staff and guests gathered at our Support Centre for a special celebration recognising the enduring cultures, histories and achievements of First Nations peoples.
The event began with a traditional Smoking Ceremony led by Bundambah Yah from Tribal Experiences, followed by a Welcome to Country. Together, these powerful traditions invited attendees to reflect on the significance of Country, connection and respect. Throughout the morning, Bundambah Yah also shared traditional story telling through the sounds of the didgeridoo, creating a moving cultural experience that connected attendees to generations of First Nations knowledge and tradition.
Speaking at the event, SCC Interim CEO Ken Freer said, “Events like today are important because they give us the opportunity to pause, listen and celebrate the rich cultures, histories and contributions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. They also remind us that reconciliation isn’t something we achieve all at once – it’s something we continue to build through relationships, understanding and respect.”
Guests enjoyed a morning tea catered by First Nations business FigJam Catering and explored artwork by contemporary First Nations artist Wendy Rix. Her piece, Community, Care & Connection, continues to feature proudly across SCC sites and on our First Nations uniform shirts, reflecting our commitment to recognising and celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures every day.
The celebration also highlighted the progress of SCC’s reconciliation journey. Following the successful implementation of our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), we have now launched our Innovate RAP, reinforcing our commitment to deeper relationships, greater opportunities and meaningful, lasting change.
This commitment can be seen across our organisation through partnerships with Indigenous-led organisations, culturally significant artworks and spaces, and initiatives that create opportunities to learn from and celebrate First Nations cultures.
As we continue this journey together, SCC remains committed to walking the path of reconciliation with compassion, respect and purpose, honouring culture, Country and connection in everything we do.
