Committed to the ongoing journey of reconciliation

Preserving culture and improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members is of utmost importance to Alarna Page.

The CatholicCare Tasmania Principal Aboriginal Consultant, whose newly created role commenced earlier this year, said the appointment offered an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the community.

“Experiences I had growing up with culture and engaging with other Aboriginal community members made me super passionate in this space, and I just want to continually learn and focus on the positives of culture.”

In her new role, Alarna provides strategic advice and guidance on Aboriginal cultural matters, working with teams to ensure all policies, procedures and practices are culturally sensitive and respectful.

Alarna is also delivering training sessions to CatholicCare staff, engages with Aboriginal services and communities, and identifies cultural and specific needs of young Aboriginal people, considering intergenerational trauma and social complexities.

“One of the most important things is staff training,” she said.

“The feedback from the training I have done has been incredible. Everyone has been engaged and passionate. They just want to learn more, and everyone is completely on board with including more perspectives.”

Alarna said a historical understanding is critical to appreciate and respect culture and support Aboriginal families and communities.

“By enhancing cultural competency for all staff, we aim to ensure that cultural considerations remain at the forefront of their minds,” she explained.

“This approach will enable them to effectively disseminate this knowledge downstream, resulting in a cascade effect that positively impacts numerous services and clients. Ultimately, this will lead to improved service delivery, benefiting both clients and community members.”

Alarna said she approached involvement with the Aboriginal community with modesty and pride, acknowledging her role as a passionate advocate for her heritage and culture, rather than as an expert. 

“I engage in volunteering and cultural activities like mutton birding, fishing, diving, kelp basket making, and jewellery making to deepen my understanding of cultural traditions and community connections,” she said.

Acting CEO Kirsten Free said that as a large organisation with almost 500 staff members across the state, serving over 11,500 Tasmanians each year, the Principal Aboriginal Consultant role is extremely important for CatholicCare Tasmania.

“We are an organisation committed to ongoing reconciliation with our First Nations people and Alarna is working across CatholicCare on our Reconciliation Action Plan to deliver positive outcomes,” Ms Free said.

“Alarna has been recently honoured with a scholarship by Early Childhood Australia (ECA) to attend the 2024 ECA Reconciliation Symposium in Canberra earlier this month which will help advance her professional development.”