Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan

June 2021 saw Royal Rehab join a network of more than 1,100 corporate, government and not-for-profit organisations with the endorsement of its inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

RAPs provide an important framework for organisations to sustainably and strategically take meaningful action to advance reconciliation. The recent merger with not-for-profit organisation breakthru created an incredible opportunity to advance reconciliation efforts across a larger number of locations. Spanning 25 sites across three states: from Cairns in the north; to Melbourne in the south; and west of the Great Dividing Range to Dubbo, Coonabarabran, and centres in Regional New South Wales - developing a RAP was never more important. Built on the concepts of relationships, respect and opportunities, the organisation’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan includes a series of tangible actions, guiding both internal actions as well as how Royal Rehab operates more broadly in the communities that it serves.

The plan includes actions that seek to:

Increase the understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledge, and rights.

Establish and strengthen relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations.

Increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recruitment, retention, and professional development.

Increase the diversity of Royal Rehab’s suppliers to support improved economic and social outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

These are important first steps in formalising our organisation’s reconciliation journey and learning more about the work we can do for a better Australia for all.

- Matt Mackay, Chief Executive Officer, Royal Rehab

Artist spotlight: indigenous artist Sabrina Spencer

Sabrina Spencer, artist

Leading the design aesthetics of Royal Rehab’s RAP document is a piece of artwork called Bush Medicine by indigenous artist Sabrina Spencer.

Sabrina paints in a reduced monochromatic palette, predominantly painting two major Dreaming stories, one being the Bush Onion or Bush Medicine. Through repetition of pattern, Sabrina creates movement and depth, and an overall contemporary aesthetic. In 2020 Sabrina exhibited at Art Paris and is proving to be a much sought-after artist with a distinctive op-art style. Sabrina’s incredible artworks now hang in pride of place within Royal Rehab, Ryde and MetroRehab hospitals.

Sabrina Spencer painting artwork hung at MetroRehab