Reconciliation is an ongoing journey that reminds us that while generations of Australians have fought hard for meaningful change, future gains are likely to take just as much, if not more, effort (What is reconciliation? - Reconciliation Australia).
Innovate RAP
This Innovate RAP marks a significant milestone in our reconciliation journey, enabling our organisation to better understand our sphere of influence and identify effective pathways to progress reconciliation. The Innovate RAP prioritises building and enhancing meaningful relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, fostering engagement among employees, volunteers and stakeholders, and exploring innovative strategies to support and empower Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Key expectations of the RAP
- Develop mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders
- Develop and pilot strategies for reconciliation initiatives
- Engage staff in reconciliation activities
- Identify the best approach for the workforce through aspirational outcomes
- Explore how AV can drive reconciliation through its business activities, services, programs, stakeholders and/or sphere of influence
- Report to Reconciliation Australia by September each year, through the RAP Impact measurement questionnaire
- Publicly report on RAP progress to external stakeholders
Additionally, this supports our efforts towards being a workplace that empowers Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and volunteers to thrive while improving outcomes for the communities AV serves.
Our Reconciliation Working Group
AV’s Reconciliation Working Group (RWG) was established in 2023 as part of our Reflect RAP to elevate and listen to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices. The RWG consists of AV workforce members from diverse roles and regions and representatives from external Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisations.
The working group plays a vital role in ensuring the effective implementation of the current RAP, offering subject matter expertise, and recommending, promoting, and actively participating in RAP-related initiatives and activities within their respective areas.
| Name | Role | Nation |
|---|---|---|
Name Tegwyn McManamny | Role Executive Director Quality and Clinical Innovation (Chair) | Nation |
Name Joel Pearlman | Role Senior Lead, Diversity and Inclusion | Nation |
Name Michelle Crilly | Role Ambulance Paramedic/Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Program Lead (Secretariat) | Nation Yorta Yorta |
Name Joel Marley | Role Senior Manager Community & Partner Engagement | Nation |
Name Rebecca Gargano | Role Senior Manager Employee Communications | Nation |
Name Edward (Eddie) Wright | Role Regional Support Manager/MICA Paramedic | Nation Gunaikurnai |
Name Chloe Orchard | Role Ambulance Paramedic | Nation Wiradjuri |
Name Steph O'Connor | Role Ambulance Paramedic | Nation Gubbi-Gubbi |
Name Ryan Parry | Role MICA Paramedic | Nation Bunurong |
Name Jacinta Read | Role ALS Paramedic | Nation |
Name John Foley | Role Senior Team Manager Latrobe 2 Gippsland | Nation |
Name Jessica Mitchell | Role Aboriginal Health Practitioner/Executive Manager, Workforce Development – VACCHO | Nation Gunditjmara/ Wemba Wemba |
Name Angelina Kastamonitis | Role Senior Project Officer – Victorian Aboriginal Health Service (VAHS) | Nation Gia |
RAP Champion
Our RAP Champion, Executive Director of Quality and Clinical Innovation, is responsible for supporting and being actively engaged and involved throughout all stages of delivery, being accessible and available to the project/program teams and being a visible face of the change through actions, including providing necessary resources.
The RAP Champion is also the Chair of our RWG. The Chair plays a critical role in ensuring AV is maintaining its progress and commitment to reconciliation through implementation of the RAP and establishing a connection between members and the Executive Committee and AV Board.
Updated