On Tuesday, 18 March 2025, AFAC demonstrated its commitment to reconciliation through the launch of the AFAC Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

Within the RAP framework, there are four RAP types to allow organisations to continuously develop their reconciliation commitments – reflect, innovate, stretch and elevate. AFAC’s Reflect RAP is the first step in strategically taking meaningful action to advance reconciliation within the organisation.

Uncle Collin Hunter Jr., a proud Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Elder, gave a Welcome to Country in Fitzroy Gardens. He spoke about his family’s history, their stories and the extent of their traditional lands from inner city Melbourne; south to the Mordialloc Creek; west to the Werribee River and east to Mount Baw Baw.

Source: AFAC

Following the Welcome to Country, an afternoon tea was held at the AFAC Office in East Melbourne. During the afternoon tea, Aboriginal artist Emma Bamblett presented her artwork ‘Looking and Healing over Country’ that was commissioned for AFAC’s RAP.

Source: AFAC

Emma spoke about her family connections to the Wemba Wemba, Gunditjmara, Ngadjonji and Taungurung mobs, and about the meaning of her artwork and how it represents the journey of reconciliation action and healing for AFAC. The artwork highlights the importance of paying respect to Traditional Owners of the land and ensuring Country is healthy, as well as AFAC’s values and breadth of AFAC’s role supporting fire and emergency services.

As the RAP launch concluded, Sandra Whight, Executive Director of National Capability at AFAC, hosted a professional development session on Acknowledgement of Country.

The session provided attendees with a deeper understanding of Acknowledgement of Country, the significance of Country and how acknowledgement can be personalised and delivered with sincerity.

AFAC would like to thank Uncle Collin Hunter Jr. and Emma Bamblett for their participation in the RAP launch and thank the RAP committee for their hard work and dedication to beginning AFAC’s reconciliation journey.  

To learn more about AFAC’s RAP, visit https://www.afac.com.au/diversity-and-inclusion.

For more information about Emma’s work, visit https://kinyalerrk.com.au/.