Natural Hazards Research Australia (the Centre) has established a Reconciliation Working Group to guide and strengthen relationships and collaboration with First Nations communities.
In November 2021, the Centre announced the establishment of a Reconciliation Action Plan – through Reconciliation Australia – to raise awareness about the invaluable contributions of First Nations peoples to natural hazards research, strengthen existing relationships with First Nations communities and explore new avenues for reconciliation.
CEO Dr Richard Thornton reiterated the importance of reconciliation as a continued focus for the sector.
“Reconciliation is a shared responsibility that should be promoted within and between organisations, communities and people,” he said.
“As a national centre for natural hazards resilience, we are committed to strengthening our relationships with First Nations peoples and communities – not only throughout the natural hazards research community and emergency management sector, but also internally with the Centre’s processes and programs.”
The plan will formalise the Centre’s commitment to First Nations peoples and will ensure that reconciliation is prioritised within core business. To develop and implement the plan, the Centre created a Reconciliation Working Group comprising First Nations members and internal staff:
- Ricky Archer, CEO, North Australian Indigenous Land and Sea Management Alliance: Ricky is a Djungan man from the Western Tablelands region of North Queensland and has demonstrated an ability to connect on-groundwork of Indigenous organisations with regional, state and Commonwealth priorities. He has a background in geographical information systems, Indigenous knowledge management, and natural and cultural resource management.
- Tammy Small (family name Gordon), Manager of Indigenous Advancement, University of Wollongong: Tammy is a proud Wiradjuri woman who grew up in Western Sydney on Dharug country and spent a lot of time with family on Murie lands in Condobolin, NSW. Tammy is currently the Manager of Projects, Indigenous Advancement at the University of Wollongong.
- Bhiamie Williamson, Research Fellow, Australian National University: Bhiamie is a Euahlayi man from north-west NSW and south-west Qld with family ties to north-west Qld. Bhiamie's professional and academic focuses include Indigenous land and water management, youth, governance and data sovereignty. He is a prominent member of the Indigenous research community, currently completing a PhD at the Australian National University that investigates Indigenous men and masculinity.
- Oliver Costello, independent consultant: Oliver is from Bundjalung Jagun Country on the Northern Rivers of NSW. He initiated Firesticks in 2009 and was a founding director of the Jagun Alliance Aboriginal Corporation (2016) and Firesticks Alliance Indigenous Corporation (2018). Oliver seeks to empower communities, organisations and stakeholders to develop collaborative approaches to support Indigenous leadership and recognition of cultural practices.
- Jade Ritchie, Director, National Indigenous Australians Agency: Jade is a Gooreng Gooreng woman from Bundaberg, Queensland, who now lives and works on Larrakia Country in Darwin, Northern Territory. She has many years’ experience working with the Northern Territory Government in business and economic development, youth justice and Aboriginal affairs. Jade has a goal of increasing Indigenous participation in education, employment and all areas of economic development.
- Centre staff include CEO Dr Richard Thornton, Dr Kat Haynes (Node Research Manager, NSW), Bethany Patch (Senior Communications Officer), Nicklaus Mahony (Research Services Team Leader) and Friedo Ligthart (Graphic Designer).
The Reconciliation Action Plan will be developed in partnership with all group members and Reconciliation Australia, and the reconciliation activities will be implemented within the next 12 months.
For more information about the Reconciliation Action Plan or Working Group, contact office@naturalhazards.com.au.