Ageing Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises their continuing connection to land, sea, waters and community. We pay our respects to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, and to Elders past and present.
Ageing Australia’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)
Reflect RAP | August 2025 – November 2026
Ageing Australia is proud to launch our inaugural Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) – a 15-month roadmap for meaningful, measurable change that deepens our commitment to reconciliation across our organisation and the aged care, retirement living and seniors housing sectors.
Our Reflect RAP marks a significant milestone in our journey – one grounded in truth, partnership and shared responsibility. It sets out practical actions we will take to build respectful relationships, create opportunities and embed cultural knowledge in all that we do.
As the national peak body, Ageing Australia plays a vital leadership role in shaping a sector where culturally safe, inclusive and respectful care is the standard – not the exception – for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Our RAP theme:
‘Where two rivers run together’
Our theme reflects the merging of our two predecessor organisations and symbolises our commitment to walk alongside Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in genuine collaboration.
Just as two rivers combine to form something stronger, our RAP brings together diverse experiences, histories and ways of knowing – building a future grounded in respect, understanding and shared growth.
A shared journey
Reconciliation is not a single act or statement – it’s an ongoing journey.
At Ageing Australia, we are committed to fostering a culture that honours First Nations voices, stories and leadership.
We are proud to support reconciliation in our workplace and across the sector, and to work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
We invite our members, partners and the broader community to walk this path with us.
Why now?
The aged care sector is undergoing major reform, with cultural safety formally recognised as a right under the Aged Care Act 2024 and the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards.
The Government’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Framework (2025–2035) also calls on the sector to strengthen the First Nations workforce and embed culturally responsive, trauma-informed care across services.
We’ve launched our RAP now to meet this moment – and to help our members lead in embedding cultural safety into everyday practice.
If you have any questions about our RAP, please contact us.
Ageing Australia RAP working group
The Reconciliation Action Plan working group (RWG) is a cross-functional team of staff from across Ageing Australia who guide, implement and monitor our Reflect RAP. The group plays a key role in embedding reconciliation across the organisation by championing our commitments, supporting the delivery of initiatives, promoting cultural awareness and inclusion and engaging with internal and external stakeholders including First Nations communities.
The Working Group and our RAP journey are being supported by Sharon
Wood-Kenney. Sharon is a proud Noongar Yamatji woman, the inaugural chairwoman for the City of Joondalup’s Reconciliation Action Plan community reference group, and the founder and General Manager of the Djinda Bridiya Wellbeing Australian Aboriginal Organisation Foundation.
RAP working group members
RWG is comprised of eight staff across various roles, teams and geographical locations:
- Belinda Allen – RAP Executive Sponsor, General Manager Services and Sector Capacity
- Laurance Malmgren – RAP Champion, Senior Advisor Strategy and Projects
- Andrew Hayward, Head of Workforce Strategy
- Corrin Muzondo, People and Culture Advisor
- Liz Behjat, State Manager WA/NT
- Mandi Ackman, Senior Policy Advisor
- Nicole Austin, Project Support Officer
- Sharon Wilkinson, Senior Marketing and Communications Advisor
Our artwork
Bultjubul Dungula
‘Two rivers’ in Yorta Yorta language
Bultjubul dungula meaning ‘Two rivers’ in Yorta Yorta language acknowledges the merging of Ageing Australia’s two predecessor organisations and reflects the collaboration and growth between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and Ageing Australia.
The two flowing rivers ripple inwards and merge to form a communal Algabonya (meeting place) where strong, meaningful and respectful relationships are developed to foster cultural engagement, collaboration, understanding and inclusion.
People situated along the riverbank emphasis its significance as a symbolic meeting place and life source to community, encouraging everyone to connect and contribute to the reconciliation journey.
By respectfully engaging, orange journey lines emerge from the Algabonya and link to three campfires depicting community partnership, outreach and Ageing Australia’s commitment to aged and community care. The three campfires also symbolise the three pillars of reconciliation: respect, opportunities and relationships.
Featured around the campfires are Elders in possum skin cloaks acknowledging the importance of their enduring leadership, resilience and strength on community. We draw on their cultural guidance, wisdom and sharing of knowledge to ensure the longevity of culture and the survival of stories and songlines.
Native plants combined with four coloured dots depict the integration of water, earth, fire and desert sand to represent our unique landscape and connection to Country. Green and charred grey leaves symbolise cleansing, growth and welcoming Ageing Australia to embrace reconciliation.
About the artists
Bayadherra
Bayadherra is founded by proud Aboriginal Yorta Yorta brother and sister Luke and Siena Tieri. As descendants of the James Family, their cultural origins are embedded in Yorta Yorta Country; Shepparton Victoria. Luke and Siena’s grandfather Glenn James OAM is a respected Elder within community and is recognised as the first Indigenous man to umpire Australian rules football in the AFL.
As emerging artists with an Aboriginal business, their purpose is to advance reconciliation and promote cultural awareness, education and understanding by reflecting their traditional storylines and Indigenous heritage in contemporary art pieces designed for your home or office space. ‘Bayadherra’ in Yorta Yorta language means ‘turtle’, the spiritual animal totem of the Yorta Yorta clan: a name reflective of Luke and Siena’s Aboriginal identity and connection to community and Country.
Community, authenticity and respect is at the heart of Bayadherra; Luke and Siena pride themselves on their collaborative attitude and unique ability to provide culturally meaningful art and design services to support clients and community.
Bayadherra is 100 per cent Aboriginal owned and operated and is a registered member of Supply Nation Australia, Kinaway Chamber of Commerce Victoria, the Indigenous Art Code and the Aboriginal Art Association of Australia (AAAA).