From 27 May to 3 June, Team Royal continued our commitment to closing the healthcare gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with a range of activities for National Reconciliation Week. The week is celebrated annually across Australia, with these two significant dates honoring two momentous milestones in the journey of reconciliation – the successful 1967 Referendum and the High Court Mabo decision of 1992. 

The week commenced with National Sorry Day on the 26 May, which marks the National Apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander peoples. As part of the day, RBWH staff were invited to take part in the raising of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags and placing the ANTaR Sea of Hands in the front RBWH garden. The hands are an iconic symbol of reconciliation and a way for communities across Australia to engage with Reconciliation Week.   

RBWH Cultural Capability Officer Geoffrey Binge said that National Reconciliation Week is one of the many occasions that encourages us to forge positive and respectful relationships, and to celebrate and enhance our relations between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and all Australians.  

“These invaluable relationships enable us to work together to close the gaps in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ health and life expectancy and to achieve a shared sense of fairness and justice,” he said. 

“On this journey of reconciliation, we all have a role to play; to take action, to build and maintain better relations and at the same time be willing to reconcile differences.” 

RBWH commemorated National Reconciliation Week with the ANTaR Sea of Hands

RBWH staff were also encouraged to wear the colours of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, donate to Reconciliation Queensland, and visit the Better Together Health Van throughout the week.