This week, more than 300 of our people came together to mark NAIDOC Week 2025. Held in a yarning circle format, the event honoured Indigenous cultural practices and created space for storytelling, listening, and connection.
Michael Chernov, General Manager of Corporate Services, opened the gathering with reflections on the power of yarning circles to share knowledge and culture on equal ground.
“The simple act of coming together in a circle invites everybody to participate on equal standing and learn as a collective of people with different ideas and experiences,” he said.
This year’s theme of “The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy” marks 50 years of honouring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and leadership. It encourages us to reflect on the past while uplifting the voices of Aboriginal leaders shaping the future.
We were honoured to welcome guest speaker Kym Williams, a proud Iningai woman from the VCAT Koori Support Team, who shared how culturally safe practices can transform public service.
“We help Aboriginal people navigate the system… We’re here to ensure their stories are told and their voices are heard.”
The event also featured a powerful message delivered by Steve Clark on behalf of Donna Trindall, a proud Kamilaroi/Gamilaraay Yinar woman and Specialised Support Consultant – Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People.
Donna highlighted the importance of cultural respect in client engagement, “Being an Aboriginal worker assists me to engage with mob in a culturally sensitive way.”
She shared how addressing Elders with cultural respect, such as using kinship terms like “Aunty” and identifying her own mob, helps to build trust.
Yasara Dissanayake, Chair of our Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group, spoke about how we’re bringing our Reconciliation Action Plan to life from building trust-based partnerships to creating meaningful employment pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
These moments of cultural learning and connection matter. They remind us that reconciliation is not just something we mark during NAIDOC Week but an ongoing commitment to listen, learn and create meaningful change.
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