This month we hit a major milestone in our journey of reconciliation. Healthy Land & Water launched our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2024-2026 and we couldn’t be more excited. It is jam-packed with actions to ensure we create and inspire real change. Our RAP is the result of years of listening, learning and working closely with First Nations groups and Traditional Owners to care for Country.

 

Quotes from the RAP

Our RAP is interwoven with quotes from our team underscoring our deep commitment to reconciliation.

In closing we would like to give a shoutout to our dedicated RAP working group and members of our Board committee, the Indigenous Engagement Strategy Committee (IESC) who have been instrumental in delivering our second RAP.

“This means fostering a deeper understanding and respect for First Nations cultures, ensuring inclusive decision-making processes on all levels, and prioritising partnerships that empower Traditional Owners, allowing us to walk together to create meaningful, lasting change.” – Julie McLellan, Healthy Land & Water CEO.
“As we present our second Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, we reaffirm our commitment to reconciliation with a renewed sense of purpose. This plan marks a pivotal moment for Healthy Land & Water, emphasising deeper accountability, transparency, and a collective advocacy to inspire and engage every member of our organisation.” – Cameron Costello, Healthy Land & Water Board Member, proud Quandamooka man.
“In looking after our region’s environment and natural resource management, we want to make sure that the living cultures, stories and histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our region are embedded and celebrated by all Australians as part of our national story.” – Stephen Robertson, Healthy Land & Water Board Chair.
“Through lore, we have a responsibility to care for Country and each other, following in the footsteps of our ancestors. By walking together and learning from one another, we can be truly empowered. Collectively, we create greater strength and better outcomes than if we were to continue on separate paths.” – Nicole Rawson-Harris, Indigenous Advancement Lead, RAP Working Group Co-Chair.
“At Healthy Land & Water, reconciliation is not tacked on to our agenda, it’s woven into the fabric of our approach to nurturing relationships and delivering projects to care for Country. Reconciliation is a shared responsibility, and together, I imagine a future that has respectfully and purposefully weaved in the aspirations and knowledge of First Nations people to everything we do.” – Andrew O’Neill, Chief Science & Sustainability Officer, RAP Working Group Co-Chair.
“Engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples requires an ongoing commitment that is founded on trust and relationship building. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are born into a community, grow and learn as a community and thrive as a whole community throughout their lives. It is imperative to nurture this community spirit, keeping it alive and strong for generations to come.” – Hayley Shields, Indigenous Engagement Officer.
“I’m excited for this RAP to solidify my work with First Nations groups, empowering their leadership and respectfully integrating Traditional Knowledge into fire planning and landscape management.” – Diana Partridge, Assistant Team Lead, Fire Ecology.
“Like First Nations cultures and knowledges which are dynamic- evolving constantly over time – in each of its incarnations, the RAP creates a path toward transformation; an opportunity to build partnerships, binding history and innovation to strive for a learning space where environmental protection, social justice and Voice meet.” - Gabriela Shuster, Senior Environmental Scientist.
“Working on Country is a wonderful part of the field work I do and I am lucky to learn from the First Nations peoples who have cared for Country for tens of thousands of years. Building relationships with First Nations peoples and working alongside them is key for continuing reconciliation action.” – Indigo Kuss-Patterson, Environmental Project Officer.
“I have learned firsthand the importance of engaging, respecting, and working in collaboration with First Nations peoples when delivering events, as this approach not only enhances cultural connection but fosters a deeper understanding among participants.” – Natalie Taylor, Events Officer.
“I’m deeply grateful to be part of the RAP Working Group at Healthy Land & Water. It’s a privilege and responsibility to contribute to initiatives fostering understanding, respect, and partnerships with First Nations peoples.” Michelle Spadina-Watson, Quality and Compliance Lead.
“I am excited to be part of this group, fostering and driving the message of reconciliation, gaining a personal understanding and helping deliver broader community advancement.” – Ray Nelson, Business Manager.
“South East Queensland is graced with amazing natural landscapes, from the bay, islands and coastline to the rainforest, rivers, valleys and mountains. A phenomenal diversity of native plants and wildlife rely on these deeply important places, as do all of us who live here. It is our responsibility to care for this region together, following in the footsteps of thousands of years of culture.” – Tom Lally, Team Lead, Land Restoration.

Our RAP working group has strong representation from every team, including Andrew O’Neill, Jack Coates-Marnane, Gabriela Shuster, Indigo Kuss-Patterson, Michelle Spadina-Watson, Tom Lally, Diana Partridge, Natalie Taylor and Ray Nelson. We also thank former RAP working group members Michele Clatworthy, Lilly Boler-Johnson, Patrick Malone, and Rachael Nasplezes for their valuable contributions.

The IESC is made up of Cameron Costello, Stephen Robertson, Darryl Low Choy, Simon Warner, Dr Valerie Cooms and Jason Murphy.

We were also stoked to have Board members Cameron Costello, Nikki Poteri-Collie, and Melissa Impiazzi join us in the office for the launch of our new RAP to celebrate the next chapter of our reconciliation journey.

Read our Reconciliation Action Plan