It came about after ERH’s Aboriginal health advisory committee saw a need to include all staff in joining together to recognise culture.
“The badges are designed to encourage Yorta Yorta people and ERH to embrace community together and to be worn as a sign of respect, acknowledgement of the past and acceptance of now,” ERH chief executive Nick Bush said.
“We all have a role to play when it comes to reconciliation.
“In playing our part we collectively build relationships, strengthen ties within communities and show our respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, histories and cultures.”
The badge depicts a long-necked turtle – a totem of the Yorta Yorta people – and two boomerangs symbolising partnership.
ERH Aboriginal liaison officer Sonya Parsons said reconciliation was about closing the gap and “moving forward together”.
“We wanted to create a cultural symbol that would show everyone that staff at ERH were acknowledging traditional owners by choosing to wear the badge,” she said.
“Reconciliation is about acknowledging all pasts, all communities. It means working to achieve respect, trust and equity – an ongoing process we all need to be committed to.”
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