Optometry Australia launches first Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan

Optometry Australia has today launched its first ‘Innovate’ Reconciliation Action Plan 2022-2024 (RAP).

Endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, our Innovate RAP details the commitments our organisation has made to contribute to efforts to advance reconciliation.

President Margaret Lam said: ‘Our Innovate RAP will hold our organisation accountable for our actions and also provide us with a clear framework to guide the delivery of our commitments.

‘It is based around the core pillars of relationships, respect and opportunities, and structured to provide tangible benefits for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

‘We have a duty to ensure there is a greater understanding, value and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledge and rights amongst our profession. Hence, earlier this year, we provided complimentary access to all members to cultural responsiveness training, with the goal of improving culturally safe optometric clinical care. 

‘In addition, we are committed to continuing to work with sector stakeholders to address barriers to accessing primary eye healthcare, and to eliminate avoidable vision loss and blindness amongst First Nations peoples.

‘In delivering our Innovate RAP commitments, Optometry Australia will seek to be guided by the voice and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander eye health professionals, people and organisations.’

 You can read Optometry Australia’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan here.

Optometry Australia acknowledges artist Dixon Patten (Bitja) of Bayila Creative, a proud Gunnai, Yorta Yorta, Gunditjmara, Dhudhuroa, Yuin and Wiradjuri man, for developing the artwork for our Innovate RAP. The artwork is titled ‘bunyabuk wannik’, which is Gunnai for ‘Join the journey’, and describes and represents our path and vision for meaningful reconciliation.