10 July 2025
At Southern Cross Care, reconciliation is more than a statement, it is a commitment lived every day through genuine connection, cultural celebration and meaningful action.
This year, we proudly marked National NAIDOC Week with a special morning tea at our Support Centre. Staff gathered to honour the rich traditions and enduring wisdom of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, enjoying a powerful didgeridoo performance by Bundambah Yah and browsing the vibrant market stalls of Australian contemporary indigenous artist, Wendy Rix.
The event was a reflection of our growing connection to Country and culture, and a celebration of our collective journey toward reconciliation. We thank the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) for funding this National NAIDOC Week activity and helping us bring this important event to life, in addition to funding other special activities we have planned across our communities.
Listening to and learning from First Nations communities is central to our reconciliation work. Our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), implemented over the past 18 months, has laid strong foundations. We’re now developing our ‘Innovate’ RAP, a bold next step in strengthening relationships and empowering change, which we hope to submit for approval later this year to Reconciliation Australia.
Across our services, we continue to embrace First Nations culture in meaningful ways, from commissioning Wendy Rix’s striking artwork Community, Care & Connection which proudly hangs at all of our sites, to building relationships with Indigenous-owned businesses.
We are also creating reflective spaces in our communities, including a reconciliation pathway at our Edens Landing community, with a Yarning circle also in planning; and at Illoura Village in Chinchilla, our next stage of construction will feature Indigenous-inspired elements including a new concrete walkway etched with native animal motifs and a peaceful gathering space for reflection. Staff are also encouraged to proudly wear our new Indigenous polo shirt uniforms, a step towards making First Nations culture a visible and valued part of our everyday identity. Together, we will act with compassion and courage as we listen, learn, and walk the path of reconciliation, side by side.
