b'Our journey to reconciliationWe have continued to pursue our reconciliation vision: All people standing together to create socially just and culturally safe relationships with, and opportunities for, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We were proud to join a coalition of 300 civil In 2023, we completed our Innovatesociety organisations as Allies for Uluru in the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), whichlead-up to the referendum. We coordinated enabled us to take real steps towards ouran education campaign for our workforce reconciliation vision. Successfully completingwhich empowered them with the information, this RAP is a testament to our RAP Workingknowledge, and resources to talk about the Groups commitment, and the ongoingreferendum with friends, family members and cultural advice provided by the Yarn Uptheir broader community networks.Deepening connection groupa safe space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at Uniting While bitterly disappointing, the outcometo gather and share their voice.of the 2023 referendum only deepened our Implementing and completing our Innovate RAPcommitment to stand in solidarity with Aboriginaland understandingand Torres Strait Islander peoples in support of the full implementation of the Uluru Statement from did not come without challenges. Uniting is athe Heart. large and complex organisation and therefore,In May 2024, we signed the Allies for UluruAs part of our Stretch RAP weve committed to deepening our the embedding of many of our RAP initiativesStatement of Commitment to continue to stand faced unique barriers in our various services understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and locations. Further, Innovate RAP work didin solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the wake of the referendumand celebrating their richness. not take place in a vacuum. The context, eventsresult, incubating hope and advocating for the and effects of the 2023 Voice to Parliamentrights and aspirations of Aboriginal and TorresNational Reconciliation Week, held each year inconnecting into the earth and nature for holistic referendum had immense impact on our FirstStrait Islander Peoples. May, is a time for all Australians to learn aboutwellness. In leading the workshop, Wayapa Nations workforce, our RAP Working Groupour shared histories, cultures and achievementspractitioner and proud Gunaikurnai woman Bec members, and our Innovate RAP workplan. Find out more and how we can each contribute to achievingQuinn generously shared Aboriginal peoples In 2024, the RAP Working Group switched focusreconciliation in Australia. wisdom on taking care of and connecting with to development work on our Stretch RAP whichThe 2024 theme, Now More Than Everthe earth as a starting point for mind, body will provide a roadmap towards more ambitiousreminded us all that the pursuit of justice,and spiritual wellbeing.reconciliation goals. It commits us to deepen ourand the rights of Aboriginal and Torres StraitMarijke Fotia from the Mission and Equity team understanding of Aboriginal and Torres StraitIslander people will, and must, continue. Teamssaid the workshop inspired her to become a Islander cultures and celebrate their richness. Weacross Uniting marked National ReconciliationWayapa practitioner herself.look forward to launching the Stretch RAP uponWeek by holding events and activities that its endorsement by Reconciliation Australia.embraced this theme. The Wayapa Workshop was an incredible opportunity to reflect on different ways of One of those events was a Wayapa Wuurkconnecting to the environment and how Wuurrkshop. Based on ancient wisdom, thisthat relates to my wellbeing. I left it feeling practice combines earth mindfulness, narrativerejuvenated and excited. I am currently saving meditation and storytelling through physicalup to participate in more workshops with the movement, demonstrating the importance ofeventual plan to become a practitioner myself.30 Uniting Vic.Tas and Uniting Housing Annual Report'