We teamed up with Reconciliation Tasmania and sector partners to connect in Tasmania.
Image: From left to right: Narelle Demeris, Disability Services Tasmanian Director, Mark Redmond, CEO Reconciliation Tasmania, Paul Cairns, Child, Youth and Family Tasmanian Director, and Chris Crerar from Reconciliation Australia, at the Tasmania Elevate RAP Launch.
Life Without Barriers' Tasmanian team gathered on the land of the Muwinina People to celebrate the launch of Elevate Reconciliation Action Plan in Tasmania.
It was an afternoon marked with song and culture, sharing of ideas and experiences, and friends coming together for a shared purpose of creating a better future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The launch began with music from local Aboriginal musician Dwayne Everett Smith. Next, Auntie Brenda Hodge welcomed everyone to Country, which was followed by a smoking ceremony performed by Rob Anders.
Image: Rob Anders performs a smoking ceremony at the Tasmania Elevate RAP Launch.
Paul Cairns, Child, Youth, Family Tasmanian Director, and Narelle Demeris, Disability Services Tasmanian Director, hosted guests who included staff, community Elders, as well as service sector partners and Reconciliation Tasmania.
Narelle spoke to the audience about Life Without Barriers’ commitments to provide cultural connection for clients across disability and mental health, to create culturally safe workplaces and become an employer of choice for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander businesses.
“We hear the voices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people we support."
"This will include co-designing the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander client voice implementation plan with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people we support and local advisors,” Narelle said.
Image: Narelle Demeris, Disability Services Tasmanian Director, stands behind a podium, presenting at the Tasmania Elevate RAP Launch.
Paul Cairns said, “I am incredibly proud of the Elevate RAP and us being the first not-for-profit to be able to achieve this."
"I commit to using my leadership role within Life Without Barriers to provide correct and balanced information on the referendum, to cut through the negative and biased reporting to all staff and carers, to ensure an informed decision can be made on the day.”
Image: A Yes Campaign guidebook sits next to a bowl of Yes buttons and a note which says, 'please help yourself to a Yes badge in support of the Voice to Parliament.'
Guests watched a short video of the national launch event. After the video, Paul told audiences that achieving the RAP’s aims cannot be done alone.
“The Elevate RAP’s success will take resources, shared wisdom and commitment to support the capacity of community-controlled organisations to assure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children can grow up in culture and kin. This is our collective call for action today,” said Paul.
Special guest Mark Redmond, Chief Executive, Reconciliation Tasmania, facilitated a conversation on the Voice to Parliament referendum.
To finish the afternoon, guests enjoyed a delectable spread of local produce from Palawa Kipli, a Tasmanian Aboriginal catering company that offers a modern take on traditional Aboriginal cuisine.
Image: Spread of local produce from Palawa Kipli, a Tasmanian Aboriginal catering company.
