National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June) is a time for all Australians to learn, reflect, and take meaningful action toward a more just, inclusive and equitable future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This year’s theme, All In, is a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation and here at St John NSW, it’s a reminder for us to lean into the outcomes of the RAP and how, as the Medical Reserve we can play a genuine role in bridging the gap in health outcomes between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the broader community.

We believe that access to first aid and life-saving support and education are fundamental human rights. That belief sits at the heart of our reconciliation journey and drives our efforts to ensure we work daily to ensure our services are accessible, culturally safe, and responsive to the needs of First Nations communities.

Our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) guides how we build genuine and respectful relationships with First Nations communities across our state. It serves as a guide that shapes how we deliver services, engage with communities, and support cultural learning across our organisation.

A recent example is our First Aid in Schools (FAIS) training delivered in Broken Hill, where our teams had the opportunity to work directly with local community members, exactly the kind of on-the-ground connection that brings our reconciliation commitments to life and helps to bridge the gap to ensure first aid knowledge reaches those who need it.

You can find more helpful RAP resources on our Members Intranet.