Reconciliation

Speech Pathology Australia (the Association) has a vision for the future, articulated in its landmark Speech Pathology 2030 project. This vision is outlined in eight aspirations, which include clients and communities driving service delivery, timely services across the lifespan, collaborative professional partnerships, quality services, innovation and continual pursuit of knowledge and a diverse and dynamic workforce.

Reconciliation updates

We look forward to providing further updates as we continue to progress our commitment to Reconciliation and contributing to a future where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities have timely access to culturally safe and responsive speech pathology services that are designed, led and implemented by communities.

Reconciliation update October 2024

Formal apology

On 3 June 2019, Speech Pathology Australia delivered a formal apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Advisory Committee

In October 2017, the Association established an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee.

The role of the advisory committee is to lead the Association in ensuring that the voice and values of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in relation to culture, language, land, sea, water and history are embedded in the values and business of Speech Pathology Australia now and into the future.

The Advisory Committee meets four times each year to provide strategic advice to the Association. The inaugural members of the Advisory Committee are:

• Beth Armstrong, Chair, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Curriculum Committee
• Shari Fuller, Aboriginal representative, Speech Pathology Australia member
• Rhana Gelens, Torres Strait Islander representative, Speech Pathology Australia early career member
• Tania Harris, Community Representative, Western Australia
• Tallisha Harden, Torres Strait Islander representative
• Kirrilaa Johnstone, NAATSIHWP representative
• Tara Lewis: Senior Advisor Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy and Practice, Speech Pathology Australia
• Gail Mulcair, Chief Executive Officer, Speech Pathology Australia
• Murray, Chief Executive Officer, Indigenous Allied Health Australia
• Eddie Ong, Torres Strait Islander, Board Director, Speech Pathology Australia
• Lara Pullin, Community Representative, NSW
• Louise Taylor, Aboriginal representative, Speech Pathology Australia member
• Alice Robins, Aboriginal representative, Speech Pathology Australia member
• Hannah Thompson, Aboriginal representative, Speech Pathology Australia early career member.

Reconciliation Action Plan

The Speech Pathology 2030 project identified the need for the Association to to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

Reconciliation Australia provides the following definition of the purpose of the RAP.

A RAP is a strategic document that supports an organisation’s business plan. It includes practical actions that will drive an organisation’s contribution to reconciliation both internally and in the communities in which it operates. Reconciliation Australia supports four levels of Reconciliation Action Plan – Reflect, Innovate, Stretch, Elevate.

View the Reconciliation Action Plan

Resources

Cultural safety

Working in culturally safe and responsive ways is essential to Reconciliation. The following online resources are available for members.

• Share Our Pride
• The Cultural Responsiveness Indigenous Allied Health Australia Framework
• NSW Health: Communicating positively - A guide to appropriate Aboriginal terminology
• Reconciliation Australia Good practice guide: Demonstrating inclusive and respectful language

Learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

• Lowitja Institute research - Thematic reading lists | Lowitja Institute
• Bringing them home
• Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet
• Sharing the True Stories: Improving Communication in Indigenous Health Care
• Australian Broadcasting Corporation Indigenous web page
• Growing up children in two worlds

Voice to Parliament Statement 

As an organisation committed to promoting the well-being and empowerment of all individuals, Speech Pathology Australia (the Association) stands with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and communities in favour of both the Voice and Treaty.

Read the statement

Response to racism

Speech Pathology Australia unequivocally condemns racism and recognises the ethical imperative for action to eliminate it at all levels of the profession. All members and staff of Speech Pathology Australia have a responsibility to take action to eliminate racism

Read the response

Important dates in the Reconciliation calendar

There are a number of dates significant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples that are celebrated with all Australians. Some key dates the nation embraces every year, including NAIDOC Week, National Sorry Day and National Reconciliation Week.