National Reconciliation Action Week

Recognising National Reconciliation Action Week at ASM 55

College has been collaborating with ICC Sydney and the opportunities they provide through their Legacy Program, working with their established partners to incorporate and recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and significance throughout our conference.

We’ve highlighted some of these activities and initiatives below and we are delighted to give all attendees at the ASM the opportunity to be involved.

Welcome to Country

At our opening plenary session on Saturday morning, we will be having a Welcome to Country ceremony by a local Elder.  We are grateful to the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council (MLALC) for their assistance in organising this.

Engage and learn about Indigenous Art

We will be welcoming an Aboriginal artist from the Koomurri Group to join us onsite on Saturday for an “Art on Canvas” experience.  The artist will be set up in the exhibition for the day to work on a piece of art and encouraging all attendees to engage in the process.  The artist will teach us about the use of symbols and the importance of Dreamtime. 

ICC Sydney has an extensive art collection throughout their entire space which includes a number of First Nations works.  We will be providing information about these works and we encourage attendees to take a self-guided tour of collection. 

Lanyards with a Beautiful Message

We are grateful to our lanyard sponsor Sun Pharma for supporting us in sourcing this year’s lanyards from a First Nations supplier. The lanyards won’t display their logo, however, they will be adorned with some amazing original Indigenous Art.  

The design comes from an original artwork by proud Olkolo/Kutjala woman Aleerah Barker called Education 2023.  This is what Aleerah says about her art “My artwork piece represents an individual’s journey through their education. The process of learning and the benefit of new experiences are vitally important in evolving us into our own unique and amazing individual.  Everybody’s journey is different and that is what makes education so special.

The large meeting place represents all the people involved in our teaching from our Elders, parents, teachers, schools, families and life experiences. The background shows the elements that make up who we are.  The colours show the beauty in each and every person’s journey, overcoming struggles and celebrating progress.”

Meeting with College’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Committee

On the Saturday lunchtime members of the Committee will be at the College Exhibition space to discuss the Committee’s work and ways you can contribute, and you can participate in a range of other initiatives relevant to reconciliation.

About National Reconciliation Week

Every year National Reconciliation Week (NRW) (27 May – 3 June) is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.

The theme of NRW 2023 is ‘Be a Voice for Generations’. The theme encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives and to act today for a more just, equitable and reconciled country for all.

Find out more about National Reconciliation Week at https://nrw.reconciliation.org.au/

Find out more about College’s commitment to reconciliation

Visit College’s website to find out more about College’s commitment to reconciliation and to working together to achieve an equitable and just future that is free from racism and rich in understanding, respect and opportunity.

This includes our commitment to strengthening relationships, addressing inequitable access and supporting delivery of culturally safe care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and communities and to growing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specialist dermatology workforce.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan