Preserving culture and improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members is of utmost importance to CatholicCare Tasmania’s Alarna Page. Source: Hobart Archdiocese.
Ms Page is CatholicCare’s principal Aboriginal consultant, a newly created role that she said 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,” Ms Page said.
In her new role, Ms Page provides strategic advice and guidance on Aboriginal cultural matters, working with teams to ensure all policies, procedures and practices are culturally sensitive and respectful.
She 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.
Ms Page said a historical understanding is critical to appreciate and respect culture and support Aboriginal families and communities.
She 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, 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.
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Committed to the ongoing journey of reconciliation (Hobart Archdiocese)
