Bringing our reconciliation commitment to life
Our Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan is more than a document. It’s a commitment to building stronger relationships, creating opportunities and deepening respect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
To bring that commitment to life, we commissioned Wiradyuri and Gundungurra artist Sarah Levett to create an artwork that reflects our journey and commitments.
About the artwork
Sarah worked with Wellways to create Moving Forward, which reflects Wellways commitment in the Stretch RAP phase through five elements: cultural connectedness, healing, cultural integrity, relationship building and shared knowledge.
Kangaroo tracks
There are kangaroo tracks moving towards the centre of the artwork. Kangaroos can only move forwards, not backwards. I used this concept to represent Wellways commitment to reconciliation. The tracks also depict an older and younger kangaroo journeying together. As well as showing knowledge passed through kinship, these tracks reflect Wellways commitment to walking side-by-side with families, carers, kin and lived experience to create connection, support and hope in recovery journeys.
A River
Cultural connectedness is shown through a river, representing bodies of water. Water connects mobs and gives life, with pelican tracks showing this connection. It reflects Wellways commitment to connecting with First Nations organisations and supporting mental health and wellbeing journeys.
Gum Leaf
Healing is represented by a gum leaf. Gum leaves are used in smoking ceremonies to cleanse unwanted energy or bad spirits. It reflects Wellways acknowledgement of past harms and commitment to listening, learning and moving forward together to help heal individuals, relationships, communities and systems.
Person with message stick
Cultural integrity is shown through a person holding a message stick with designs representing male, female and non-binary people. Message sticks share messages and culture between people and mobs. It reflects Wellways commitment to amplifying First Nations voices and supporting culturally safe services, employment pathways and training.
Meeting Place
Relationship building is shown through the centrally connected meeting places, representing the different First Nations communities Wellways engages with. They show the strong, inclusive and culturally safe relationships being built to improve outcomes for First Nation peoples.
Moving Forward represents Wellways’ commitment to strengthen connections with First Nation communities and allies, celebrate First Nations knowledge, protect cultural integrity, build strong relationships and share First Nations voices and knowledges.
About the artist
Sarah Levett
Wellways’ Stretch Reconciliation Action artwork ‘Moving Forward’ was created by Wiradyuri and Gundungurra artist Sarah Levett.
Sarah grew up in Wagga Wagga, NSW and her mob are from the Murrumburrah area. Her storytelling is inspired by sharing culture, travelling, protecting Country and connecting with people.
Our reconciliation journey
This artwork represents one part of our ongoing reconciliation journey. It sits alongside our Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan and reflects our commitment to listening, learning and working together with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, communities and partners.