Moving ahead on our reconciliation journey
24 December 2024
Peter Mac made great progress in its journey towards reconciliation in 2024, thanks to the passionate efforts of staff and volunteers.
It has been a year of progress, achievement, and important learning opportunities. Peter Mac is proud to have established a new staff network for First Nations allies, and grown the valued Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee. Building researchers' cultural competency and integrating First Nations perspectives into research has also been a focus.
Some highlights include:
A new Reconciliation Action Plan
Peter Mac’s second Reconciliation Action Plan was launched with a special event during National Reconciliation Week. Attended by a wide range of staff and partners, First Nations researcher and guest speaker Professor Jacinta Elston delivered a stirring address on the impact of culturally safe cancer care. Co-Chair of Peter Mac’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee Uncle James Williams spoke of his personal experiences of cancer and aspirations to close the gap, and Aboriginal artist Marcus Lee explained the inspiration behind Peter Mac's beloved possum skin cloak artwork.
The RAP Supporters Network
A new Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Supporters Staff Network was established in January. The group, now with 35 members from across Peter Mac, meets regularly. Members promote increased cultural awareness and safety in their work areas, and organised several staff engagement events throughout the year.
Supporting First Nations business
Peter Mac's Procurement team has built greater engagement with First Nations owned businesses in recent years. In 2024 these efforts continued to come to fruition. Peter Mac’s Indigenous owned and operated uniform supplier The Thread Group produced stunning Aboriginal artwork scrubs, lanyards and RAP badges, as well as corporate uniforms. These are now seen daily aross the hospital, with the printed scrubs (seen above) providing an increased sense of welcome for First Nations families.
NAIDOC Week celebrations
NAIDOC was marked with with engaging activities for staff, patients and families. The Wellbeing Centre hosted a calming smudge stick making workshop. Staff decorated wards and other patient-facing spaces with First Nations-themed decorations as part of a successful NAIDOC decorating competition.
World Indigenous Cancer Conference
Peter Mac delegates attended the World Indigenous Cancer Conference in March. There they joined leading First Nations community, clinicians, researchers, and advocates from Australia, NZ, the US and Canada in sharing work under the theme ‘Process. Progress. Power.’ Members of Peter Mac's Aboriginal Health, Diversity & Inclusion, Nursing, and Partnerships teams proudly spoke on creating a culturally safe healthcare environment and advancing First Nations cancer research.
First Nations focus for Postdoc Research session
Peter Mac postdoctoral researchers engaged with a specially organised seminar: ‘Enabling Indigenous Cancer Research: marra ngarrgoo, marra goorri in practice.’ The eye-opening seminar featured three perspectives on First Nations cancer research and care. Keyy themes included First Nations governance and leadership within cancer research, and the impact of cultural competency.
National Reconciliation Week
RAP Supporters hosted Reconciliation Week drop-in stalls featuring large-scale maps of Country. These helped staff, patients and visitors learn about First Nations people's care for land, water, and skies. They also ran a fun badge-making activity, helping people identify which Country they were born, live or play on. Peter Mac's satellite campuses also got involved, hosting local morning teas with resources, yarns, and badge-making.
