Reconciliation at Calvary
Calvary acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and Owners of the lands on which all our services operate.
We recognise that these Custodians have walked upon and cared for these lands for thousands of years. We acknowledge the continued deep spiritual attachment and relationship of First Nations peoples to this country and commit ourselves to the ongoing journey of Reconciliation.
Download our 2026-2028 Reconciliation Action Plan
Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group
Calvary’s Reconciliation Action Plan Working Group (RWG) is a standing working group of the People, Values and Culture Committee (PVCC) and works on the development, approval, implementation and monitoring of Calvary’s RAP.
The RWG membership is comprised of nominated RAP Champions (the Co-Chairs), members of First Nations communities and representatives of staff from across the organisation.
Members include:
- Mark Green, Chief Mission and Public Affairs Officer (Executive Sponsor)
- Brooke Wichman, Deputy Director of Clinical Services, Calvary Riverina Hospital (Co-Chair)
- John Lochowiak, National Cultural Advisor (First Nations)
- Adriana Sanchez, Director of Mission Assurance, Insights and Projects
- Belinda Chapman, Mission Integration Coordinator, South Australia
- Sharon Kendall, Chief Operations Officer, Hospitals
- Arlana Cook, Customer & Contract Lead, Aged Care
- Jessica Morrissey, Director of Talent Solutions
- Jane Graham, Head of Safety Culture
- Vanessa Whitlam, Home Manager, NT
- Matt Peel, Regional Director of Mission
- Ken Hancock, Clinical Nurse Specialist
- Taylor Welsh, Aboriginal Health Liaison Officer
- Nada Macias, Executive Assistant to the Chief Mission and Public Affairs Officer (Secretariat)
Video library
Partnerships and initiatives
Calvary has a strong community partnership with Alberton Primary School, involving students from a diverse range of backgrounds and 40 Aboriginal Learners. Together, we created a Mindful Mentor program where staff are able to mentor students, receive mentoring from students, and encouraged to take care of themselves and practice mindfulness.
“The goal of the Mindful Mentor group is to empower students to use de-escalation strategies when they feel big feelings, and be able to self-regulate”, says Christine Vlass, Wellbeing Leader from Alberton Primary.
“De-escalation strategies such as butterfly breathing, mindful reflection and hand-breathing are some of the strategies that assist students in being ‘ready to learn’ and experience mindful actions and thoughts. Big feelings are a part of learning, and life. We promote the importance of wellbeing and its impact on learning.”
The Mindful Mentor program has been well-received by the school community. The 10 Mindful Mentors meet once a fortnight to explore mindfulness and gratitude, and how this can help them in their life. In 2022, this group made various program presentations to Calvary Executives and Managers as well as Hospitality (Calvary Adelaide Hospital) and Graduate Nurses (Calvary North Adelaide Hospital).
MALPA’s Young Doctors for Life Program is a unique, culturally-derived, grass roots approach to train Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal children – 9 to 12 year olds – to become Young Doctors. Calvary has formed a strong partnership with MALPA in South Australia, with visits to Calvary sites as part of the program.
Empowering children to take control of their health
MALPA’s Young Doctors for Life empowers children to take control of their health destiny and help shape the future for their family and community. Calvary set out to establish a mentoring program to welcome, educate and find creative ways to engage the students with a desire to stay at school and consider future pathways into healthcare. We have now successfully run the program with three different schools visiting three different Calvary sites.
“The results were excellent with our young participants experiencing a day of learning in ways that were fun and safe and challenged any preconceived ideas the students held”, said Eleazar Newchurch Papillo, National Manager MALPA.
“Each of the Calvary sites offered a slightly different learning experience. The students’ feedback confirmed that this hands-on experience was not only enjoyable, but they talked about and then shared the things they learned. This learning included looking at CPR, talking about who works in the hospitals, learning knowledge from the staff, getting to have a look around the hospital, mentored by doctors and staff and many more great learning experiences.”
Kids smiling means kids learning
The positive outcomes the students have achieved from this partnership between MALPA and the Calvary Hospital teams are evident in the participation at the sessions, the quality and quantity of information the students have had access to and the growing student confidence.
“Kids smiling means kids learning. The practical learning has been particularly effective in this program, and promotes success for all students regardless of their literacy and numeracy competencies” said Eleazar Newchurch Papillo, National Manager MALPA.
Tiwi Engagement Officer Jonathan Munkara boosts local engagement in Tiwi Islands community.
In late 2022, Farzi Khan, Home Care Service Centre Manager in NT, worked in collaboration with The Tiwi Islands Training & Employment Board, to employ Jonathan Munkara, Tiwi Engagement Officer.
“Since Jono joined Calvary, we have seen increased engagement with members of the community, with some of the local Tiwi Islanders expressing interest in working in aged care at Mulakunya,” says Farzi Khan.
Calvary works closely with the Tiwi Islands Training & Employment Board, who provides support and guidance in the recruitment process. This has been very successful with more locals becoming interested in working in Aged Care and becoming important and valued staff members in the Calvary community.
Austin Tipiloura, our Kitchen Hand and Jonathan Munkara, Tiwi Engagement Officer