St John WA reflects on reconciliation with launch of RAP

• St John WA has launched its Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan,
• The Plan is publicly available and sets a path forward to take meaningful action to advance reconciliation,
• The RAP was launched by Group CEO Kevin Brown and welcomed by Reconciliation Western Australia chief executive Jody Nunn.

St John WA joined more than 2000 corporate, government and not-for-profit organisations with the launch of its Reconciliation Action Plan on February 28 with a traditional smoking ceremony and celebration of First Nations culture.

More than a year in the making and shepherded through the process by a dedicated working group, with guidance from Jahna Cedar, RAP advisor who has been instrumental in guiding St John, the RAP will sustainability and strategically enable the organisation to take meaningful action to advance reconciliation.

At the launch, St John Group Chief Executive Kevin Brown said while the finalised RAP document was a positive step forward, the “hard work starts now” for the organisation.

 “Our shared vision for reconciliation is to ensure St John WA’s network of services, reflect a culture of deeper understanding and respect for First Nations peoples, their histories and cultures, while fostering better healthcare opportunities and building relationships based on inherent mutual trust.”

Mr Brown also expressed his support for the Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Based around the core pillars of relationships, respect and opportunities, the St John RAP provides tangible and substantive benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, increasing economic equity and supporting First Nations self-determination.

Welcoming launch attendees to the RAP event, Walter McGuire from Go Cultural acknowledged First Nations people’s contributions to Australian culture as the Traditional Custodians of the lands across Western Australia, on which St John operates. He also spoke of his long-term friendship with new Group CEO Kevin Brown.

Jeremy Maitland-Smith, a Yamatji paramedic who works in the metropolitan region, spoke of his journey with St John and his wish for more First Nations people to be trained as paramedics on country, and Reconciliation WA CEO Jody Nunn offered support and resources to the organisation as St John moves forward with its RAP.

More than 200 people attended the launch event in person with 42 locations live streaming to mark this important milestone. Everyone attending were treated to a special rendition of the Noongar song Wanjoo by students from the nearby Belmont Primary School, and got to try traditional crafts and hear live music from Phil Walleystack.

The launch featured artwork by Nani Creative Director Kevin Wilson which tells the story of the impact and connect St John has to community “creating opportunities for our mob and keeping our people strong.”  

There are four types of RAPs:

1. Reflect – Scoping
2. Innovate – Implementing
3. Stretch – Embedding
4. Elevate – Leadership

St John WA is commencing the Reflect RAP, which will scope the objectives, and set the organisation up for future RAPs.

To view St John’s RAP, and for more information about the organisation’s reconciliation journey, go to stjohnwa.com.au/about-us/reconciliation-action-plan

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by St John WA 🚑 (@stjohnwa)