Our door is open. Everyone is welcome. No one gets left behind.
Mater is committed to working towards genuine and sustainable reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and our wider communities, to deepen our understanding and appreciation of First Nations peoples.
We are determined to drive change, and have now entered the second phase of our reconciliation journey with the release of our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
Our vision for a reconciled Australia is culturally rich and inclusive, acknowledges and understands our shared history, and aims to heal and remove barriers for the future. We are working to embed this perspective into Mater’s strategic operations through meaningful and ongoing actions that have a practical and lasting impact.
By living out Mater’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan, our goal is that all Mater People—our staff, students, and volunteers—become culturally aware and conscious of the efforts we can make individually to close the gap and foster reconciliation.
As an organisation, we will realise this goal by building on relations with community stakeholders while striving to improve accessibility to culturally safe healthcare services, education and employment opportunities, and self-determined health research.
Mater's reconcilation artwork
Mater’s reconciliation artwork – The Heart to Heal, the Strength to Grow - is a powerful and evocative work of art created by David Williams of Gilimbaa.
The artwork is much more than a two-dimensional image. It is a multi-layered piece with many meanings.
It maps Mater’s own journey of reconciliation – across our four ministries of health, foundation, education and research. It recognises Mater’s Mission, Vision and Values and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s knowledge, customs, lore and culture.
It reminds all Mater People that reconciliation must be central to everything we do. Mater’s reconciliation journey will take time but, thanks to David and our RAP Steering Committee, we have made our first steps.
Reconciliation Action Plan
Mater, in partnership with Reconciliation Australia, is actively implementing our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).
We are committed to fostering genuine and lasting reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, deepening our understanding and respect for First Nations cultures.
Our vision is a culturally rich and inclusive Australia that acknowledges our shared history and works to remove barriers for the future. We are integrating this vision into Mater's operations through practical, ongoing actions.
Through our RAP, we aim to empower all Mater staff, students, and volunteers to become culturally aware and contribute to closing the gap.