National Reconciliation Week 2023
The Royal Flying Doctor Service pay our deep respects to Aborignial and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and acknowledge them as the world's oldest living culture and the traditional owners of the land on which we work.
Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving reconciliation in Australia.
National Reconciliation Week is bookended by two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey — the successful 1967 referendum, and the High Court Mabo decision, respectively
Be a Voice for Generations.
The National Reconciliation Week 2023 theme is “Be a Voice for Generations” and it encourages all Australians to be a voice for reconciliation in tangible ways in our everyday lives – where we live, work and socialise.
For the work of generations past, and the benefit of generations future, act today for a more just, equitable and reconciled country for all.
RFDS Reconciliation Action Plan
We are very proud to be working on our RFDS Reconciliation Action Plan for the years 2021-2024. Read our RAP here.
This is the third RFDS RAP and builds on our achievements to date. The RFDS vision for reconciliation is for unity, equity and respect between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and all other Australians. In particular, we strive for our First Peoples to have access to culturally safe health services that will contribute to longer, healthier lives.
This new RAP demonstrates a renewed commitment to further embed reconciliation throughout our organisation over the next three years, taking a revised approach to actions we have not yet been able to achieve. This RAP belongs to our whole organisation. It is to be understood, embraced and emodied by all our people.
Our Reconciliation Journey
First Nations Art
The Royal Flying Doctor Service acknowledge that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art is the first art of this nation, an ancient visual gift of culture and learning. It communicates history, story, and language.
We feel privelaged to be able to engage with First Nations artists and enjoy and share the artwork they create. See some of the wonderful First Nations Art that the RFDS has commissioned around the country.
Get Involved - Find a Reconciliation Event Near You
Listen to RFDS Central Operations Board Member Leanne Liddle Share her Story
Graphic: Leanne Liddle with family
Plane on the highway, dress, shopping, and passing on words of wisdom
Leanne Liddle is an Arrernte woman born and raised in Alice Springs, who tells of growing up in a racist environment, her work as the first Aboriginal policewoman in South Australia, her many touch points with the Flying Doctor and her current work as one of our RFDS Board members in South Australia
More detailsWe acknowledge and pay respect to the traditional owners of the lands on which we work and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and the community. We feel privileged to engage with such diverse and rich cultures and we hope to deepen our understandings and our relationships with First Nations people around the country as part of our ongoing reconciliation journey.
