NAIDOC Week (5-12 July 2026) is an opportunity for us all to learn about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories.
It’s also a timely moment to reflect on our reconciliation journey as an organisation. As we prepare to launch our third Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) later this month, we’re proud to introduce the people helping bring it to life — our RAP Working Group (RWG).
The 15-member group brings together staff from across Benevolent to help guide RAP implementation, with an even mix of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and non-Indigenous staff from a range of roles, areas and locations.
Supported by Executive Director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Partnerships Melissa Riley, the RWG helps ensure this work stays connected to our people, purpose and communities.
What reconciliation means to us
While each member brings their own perspective, reconciliation is seen as an ongoing, shared responsibility.
Kirsty Townsend (Service Support Coordinator) said, “Reconciliation is not a checkbox - it’s a journey that requires consistency, humility and follow-through.”
Emma Mears (Human Resource Business Partner) added, “It requires active listening, willing to learn and unlearn and take meaningful action in our everyday decisions and interactions.”
For the RWG, the RAP is a framework for action and accountability. Siavash Manouchehrpour (Manager National Support Centre) says it's about “doing the hard work - educating ourselves, challenging the status quo, and refusing to be silent or indifferent.”
Emily Wailes (Manager Quality & Safeguarding) said the RAP helps her align her work in quality and safeguarding with our commitments and reflect on “how I contribute to creating safety for and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues and clients.”
The RAP helps translate intention into everyday decisions and behaviours by embedding cultural safety in the way we work, creating opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, ensuring voices, experiences and priorities are reflected in our decisions, and holding ourselves accountable to meaningful, measurable change.
Indi Woods (Digital Specialist) says: “It supports a culturally safe workplace, increasing opportunities for First Nations people, and acknowledging and celebrating First Nations culture.”
For member Natasha Weir, being part of the RWG is an invaluable opportunity to “walk alongside Deadly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues with an open mind and heart as we navigate a shared journey of reconciliation.”
Why this work matters
People joined the RWG for different reasons, but all are driven by a desire to contribute in meaningful and accountable ways. For some, the motivation is deeply personal — shaped by experiences, relationships and learning about culture and Country.
For Shona O'Loughlin (Evaluation Lead, Impact Data & Evaluation), it comes through a commitment to strengthening culturally safe and ethical data and evaluation practices across the organisation. "In my role, I see the importance of ensuring Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people exercise governance over data about themselves and their communities. Being part of the RAP Working Group provides an opportunity to contribute to this in a structured and accountable way," she says.
The focus is on continuing to learn, listen and take meaningful steps forward together. As Siavash reflected, the work is about contributing to something bigger than ourselves. It’s a journey that will keep evolving — guided by listening, learning and collective action.
Learn more about our commitment to reconciliation here.