Working towards closing the gap

MDA National is on the pathway to closing the gap and enabling stronger relationships within our communities. Members of MDA’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Committee attended two important meetings this week to strengthen the partnerships with organisations that are committed to Indigenous peoples in Australia. MDA National is now working towards its Reconciliation Action Plan which is at the Reflect stage.

Reconciliation – On 6 June, our National Manager, Corporate Affairs and Communications, Kylie Philippzig, and Education Advisor, Brett O’Neill, were part of a Learning Circle, to share ideas, challenges and desired outcomes with other businesses on different stages of the path to reconciliation. The event was organised by Reconciliation Australia. “We engaged in important discussions with a diverse range of organisations who are further ahead on the path to Reconciliation and learnt more about what we can do to truly make an impact in our own journey as an organisation”, said Kylie.

MDA National has registered and is in the stages of drafting its RAP. MDA has been supporting Indigenous communities through various projects for many years, including Binar Futures Health Embassy (health checks for Indigenous children in Western Australia), and the IRIS program (eyecare for First Nations communities in remote areas).

Rural Doctors – MDA National also attended a meeting with the Rural Doctors Association of Australia on 3 June to discuss further steps on how the business can keep supporting younger Doctors to consider practising rurally. On the occasion, the 20th anniversary of RDAA Media Advisor, Patrick Daley, was celebrated. “Patrick works tirelessly in supporting the RDAA/MDA partnership, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with the RDAA over many years to come", added Kylie, who represented MDA National at the meeting.