Reconciliation action plan

May 2021 - May 2023

Speech Pathology Australia acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of lands, seas and waters throughout Australia, and pays respect to Elders past, present and future. We acknowledge the strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. We recognise that the health and social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are grounded in continued connection to culture, country, language and community.

A video message from Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP, Minister for Indigenous Australian, in launching the Speech Pathology Australia Innovate Reconciliation Acton Plan on 22 September 2021.

About the artwork

This artwork depicts Indigenous and non-Indigenous people coming together, the pathways represent two-way learning and walking in reconciliation.

The circles in the middle represent Speech Pathology Australia and the influence their RAP committee and actions will have on the broader community.

The hands represent our ancestors guiding our journey.

The leaves represent growing together.

The various circles represent the diverse clans, tribes and communities across Australia.

The small circles represent conversations, yarns, language and knowledge being shared.

©Copyright Speech Pathology Australia 2021

Title: Gin-ow-ay Nambur 'To give, talk' (Gunnai Language)

Artist: Dixon Patten

Tribes: Gunnai, Yorta Yorta, Gunditjmara and Yuin

Acknowledgements

The Speech Pathology Australia Board of Directors is proud to launch the second (Innovate) Reconciliation Action Plan for the speech pathology profession in Australia. This plan will guide the development of respectful, positive, and culturally responsive relationships between speech pathologists and First Nations peoples across Australia.

We acknowledge and extend our thanks to all those who contributed to the development of the Innovate RAP. This work has built on the learnings from our Reflect RAP and sets out our actions over the next two years.

In particular, we acknowledge the contributions of all members who provided feedback on drafts of the plan. We also gratefully acknowledge non-members of the profession who provided valuable input, and the generous support of Indigenous Allied Health Australia and Reconciliation Australia throughout the process of development.

The Speech Pathology Australia Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee provided feedback and insights which informed the strategic direction of the document. Members of the Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group collaborated to transform ideas into the actions, deliverables and timelines which will drive our reconciliation journey. We extend grateful thanks to members of both groups.

We again acknowledge the contribution of Dixon Patten of Bayila Creative (bayila.com.au) whose artwork incorporates concepts which connect the profession of speech pathology with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. His unique work, together with the story behind the artwork, is displayed in the SPA National Office to remind staff and visitors of our commitment to reconciliation.

These diverse contributions have been vital to the development of a plan which aims to guide the speech pathology profession as we work towards a more responsive relationship with Australia’s First Nations peoples. We look forward to continuing to develop a relationship which recognises and values the resilience and unique ways of knowing, doing and being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities across Australia.

Tim Kittel
Former National President
Speech Pathology Australia

Gail Mulcair
Former Chief Executive Officer
Speech Pathology Australia

Statement from CEO, Reconciliation Australia

Reconciliation Australia commends Speech Pathology Australia on the formal endorsement of its second Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). Since 2006, RAPs have provided a framework for organisations to leverage their structures and diverse spheres of influence to support the national reconciliation movement. With over 2.3 million people now either working or studying in an organisation with a RAP, the program’s potential for impact is greater than ever. Speech Pathology Australia continues to be part of a strong network of more than 1,100 corporate, government, and not-for-profit organisations that have taken goodwill and transformed it into action.

The four RAP types — Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate — allow RAP partners to continuously strengthen reconciliation commitments and constantly strive to apply learnings in new ways. An Innovate RAP is a crucial and rewarding period in an organisation’s reconciliation journey. It is a time to build the strong foundations and relationships that ensure sustainable, thoughtful, and impactful RAP outcomes into the future.

An integral part of building these foundations is reflecting on and cataloguing the successes and challenges of previous RAPs. Learnings gained through effort and innovation are invaluable resources that Speech Pathology Australia will continuously draw upon to create RAP commitments rooted in experience and maturity. These learnings extend to Speech Pathology Australia using the lens of reconciliation to better understand its core business, sphere of influence, and diverse community of staff and stakeholders. The RAP program’s emphasis on relationships, respect, and opportunities gives organisations a framework from which to foster connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples rooted in mutual collaboration and trust.

This Innovate RAP is an opportunity for Speech Pathology Australia to strengthen these relationships, gain crucial experience, and nurture connections that will become the lifeblood of its future RAP commitments. By enabling and empowering staff to contribute to this process, Speech Pathology Australia will ensure shared and cooperative success in the long-term. Gaining experience and reflecting on pertinent learnings will ensure the sustainability of Speech Pathology Australia’s future RAPs and reconciliation initiatives, providing meaningful impact toward Australia’s reconciliation journey.

Congratulations Speech Pathology Australia on your Innovate RAP and I look forward to following your ongoing reconciliation journey.

Karen Mundine
Chief Executive Officer
Reconciliation Australia

Our vision for reconciliation

“Reconciliation must transcend Australian political theatre and promote a sense of national unity. All Australians should feel, as a nation, connected to the tens of thousands of years of human occupation of the Australian continent and surrounding Islands.” (Reconciliation Australia, 2016, p2).

Speech Pathology Australia recognises that reconciliation is a work in progress, a work which is the responsibility of all members and staff. We recognise the intergenerational impacts of historical and current wrongs and have undertaken to redress the negative impact of our past actions and inactions. We will work in culturally responsive ways, valuing the strengths, knowledges and languages of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples is embedded in The Professional Standards for Speech Pathologists in Australia.

Speech Pathology Australia is committed to 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. The Professional Standards for Speech Pathologists in Australia (Professional Standards) are a demonstration of that commitment, now and into the future. The Professional Standards define approaches to professional practice that acknowledge past and current wrongs. They highlight the need to listen to, respect, learn from and collaborate with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to achieve equitable health, well-being, language and educational outcomes for individuals, families and communities. (Speech Pathology Australia, 2020)

We share Reconciliation Australia’s vision for a just, equitable and reconciled Australia. A reconciled Australia recognises and values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, languages, ways of healing and connection to lands, seas and waters. Our vision sees speech pathology as a profession which delivers culturally safe and responsive services which are designed, led and implemented by Communities, a profession in which Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are strongly present in our membership.

Our business

Speech Pathology Australia (the Association) is the peak body for the speech pathology profession in Australia. It is a not-for-profit organisation with a Board of Directors which is responsible for the strategic development, implementation and evaluation of the Association’s procedures and policies within the rules of the Constitution. The board has seven members with three elected to positions of President, Vice President Operations, and Vice President Communications. The Association represents the past, present and future of the speech pathology profession in Australia.

Speech pathologists support all people to communicate effectively, balance enjoyment and safety in eating and drinking, connect and belong, exercise their right to self-determination, fulfil their day-to-day needs, participate in and contribute to their community, learn to their full potential and achieve their life choices. As at November 2020, the Association represents more than 11,000 speech pathologists nationally, including 59 speech pathologists and students who identify as Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander.

Speech Pathology Australia employs a total of 51 people. The CEO and 44 employees are based at the National Office in Melbourne, and a further 6 employees work remotely. One Aboriginal person is employed under contract, and recruitment is under way to identify an Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander person to fill the position of Senior Advisor Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy and Practice. Branches are established in each state and territory and provide a forum for discussion of issues impacting on the profession of speech pathology, state or territory level issues and Association policies. In addition, they act as a forum through which the views of members may be passed on to the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer. Branch Executive Committees are made up of volunteers and are supported by the National Office.

Our values, vision and purpose

The Association values of cultural responsiveness, excellence, innovation, person-centred practice, professionalism and ethical practice are central to our vision and purpose. Our vision is that all Australians will enjoy effective communication and safe swallowing throughout their life, and our purpose to enable and empower speech pathologists to optimise communication and swallowing for all. We strive to meet the demands of today while planning for the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.

Our Reconciliation Journey

Speech Pathology 2030 - making futures happen is a landmark project undertaken to provide an aspirational vision for the future of speech pathology in Australia. After an extensive consultation process eight key aspirations for the profession were identified and embedded within the Speech Pathology Australia Strategic Plan 2017 – 2019. The development of a Reconciliation Action Plan for Speech Pathology Australia was a significant inclusion which led to the development of the Reflect RAP which was formally endorsed in December 2019. The eight key aspirations continue to inform both strategic planning and our Reconciliation Journey.

As we have worked to achieve the goals set down in our Reflect RAP our commitment to reconciliation has been strengthened. We have:

• Strengthened the voice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee by increasing the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members;
• Developed and made public our apology to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
• Embedded requirements regarding cultural safety in the Professional Standards for Speech Pathologists in Australia (2020a)  and the Code of Ethics for Speech Pathologists in Australia (2020b) ;
• Determined annual minimum requirements for cultural responsiveness and safe practice professional development as part of members’ professional self-regulation standards.
• Developed and made public a response to racism;
• Provided members with resources to assist them in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and communities.

The Chief Executive Officer is our RAP Champion, responsible for ensuring that the profile of our RAP is highlighted within the Association and in interaction with external organisations and the wider public.

The business of the Association has continued to be informed by our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee, which exists to ensure that the values of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in relation to culture, language, land and history are embedded in the values and business of the Association now and into the future.

The Committee provides advice to the Board and the Association on all matters related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and contributes strategic advice and knowledge to the development of the Speech Pathology Australia Reconciliation Action Plan. In 2020, the addition of four new positions strengthened the Committee.

The Terms of Reference now specify that the committee may include up to 20 members, including four Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander members of the Association, two early career Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Association members, two Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander leaders in health or academia, two representatives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, two Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander consumers and one Aboriginal member of SPA staff. Non-Indigenous members of the committee are the CEO of SPA, one representative of the Board of SPA, the chair of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander curriculum committee and one staff member. The committee meets quarterly.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee members (2021)

Shari Fuller, Aboriginal member
Rhana Gelens, Torres Strait Islander early career member
Tania Harris, Aboriginal consumer representative
Eddie Ong, Torres Strait Islander member
Lara Pullen, Aboriginal consumer representative
Alice Robins, Aboriginal member
Louise Taylor, Aboriginal member
Hannah Thompson, Aboriginal early career member
Shane Mohor, CEO, Aboriginal Health Council of SA Ltd
Donna Murray, CEO, Indigenous Allied Health Australia
Corrine Butler, Indigenous Allied Health Australia Professor
Beth Armstrong, University Representative
Tim Kittel, Former National President, Speech Pathology Australia
Gail Mulcair, Former CEO, Speech Pathology Australia
Cori Williams, Senior Advisor Evidence Based Practice and Research, Speech Pathology Australia

The SPA Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group met for the first time in December 2017 and has continued to meet regularly to monitor progress of the Reflect RAP and to drive development of the Innovate RAP. The Working Group includes three Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Association members, four Association staff members and a representative of the Board of Directors of the Association.

Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group members 2023

Eddie Ong, Torres Strait Islander representative, Speech Pathology Australia Board Director and member
Hannah Thompson, Aboriginal representative, Speech Pathology Australia member
Ryley Park, Aboriginal representative, Speech Pathology Australia early career member
Tim Kittel, Former National President, Speech Pathology Australia
Gail Mulcair, Former Chief Executive Officer, Speech Pathology Australia
Robert Di Leva, General Manager / Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Shaun Ziegenfusz, Speech Pathology Australia Branch Chair, Queensland
Lydia Timms, Speech Pathology Australia Branch Chair, Western Australia
Stacey Baldac, Manager Professional Standards, Speech Pathology Australia, Convenor
Rebecca Faltyn, Manager Marketing and Communications, Speech Pathology Australia
Tara Lewis, Senior Advisor, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy and Practice
Leonie Scott, Manager Policy and Advocacy, Speech Pathology Australia

Our RAP

As reflective practitioners with a commitment to continual development of knowledge (Speech Pathology Australia, 2020a) we engage thoughtfully with experiences in order to inform future actions. Over the course of implementation of our first RAP, our understanding of approaches needed to progress our reconciliation journey has deepened. In developing our Innovate RAP we are mindful of the importance of:

• engaging staff, branches and members of the Association in implementation
• ensuring accountability
• working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

This Innovate RAP builds on the commitments made in our Reflect plan and aims to broaden the reach of our reconciliation goals.

• Extend and enhance partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations.
• Expand upon resources and education opportunities for staff and members to improve culturally responsive services.
• Align the Association’s business functions to promote culturally safe and responsive practices.

Our commitment

The rights of Indigenous peoples are set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Speech Pathology Australia recognises the ongoing connection to lands, seas and cultures of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Australia. We recognise the negative impacts of colonisation on their health, wellbeing, and traditional languages. We recognise that language and culture are inextricably linked, and crucial to holistic health and wellbeing. The Association is committed to a process of reconciliation and addressing the inequities faced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Our Reconciliation Action Plan sets out our aims to:

• facilitate two-way relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the speech pathology profession;
• build knowledge of and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledges, cultures, lands and histories amongst our members and staff;
• demonstrate value and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives in all Association policies; and
• provide opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to lead within the profession and within the business of the Association.

The Association commits to supporting this plan through the development of a communication plan and provision of resources and funding to ensure effective and timely implementation of deliverables.

 Relationships

Speech Pathology Australia recognises the importance of positive, reciprocal relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members, peoples, families and communities.

 

 Respect

Speech Pathology Australia is committed to demonstrating respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across our policies, publications and interactions with individuals, families and communities.

 

 Opportunities

Speech Pathology Australia recognises the importance of equity and inclusivity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in access to speech pathology services. We work to embed the voice of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within the strategic direction, governance and advocacy of the Association. We strive to provide opportunities for employment within the Association and culturally responsive support for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members. PS is committed to creating opportunities for Indigenous people, organisations and communities.

 

Governance and Tracking Progress

 

+++++

Download the Speech Pathology Australia Reconciliation Action Plan (Download PDF from within)