ABC Radio Interview – RAP Reflect

South West NRM CEO Dr Manda Page speaks with ABC Radio morning program presenter Peter Barr during NAIDOC Week 2025 about launch of our Reconciliation Action Plan.

Peter Barr

In the spirit of reconciliation, many organisations are navigating how they can become a more culturally safe space. And for the South West’s peak environmental body, South West NRM, fostering, strong relationships with local First Nations people is a priority. As a first for the organisation, it has officially published, a Reconciliation Action Plan, or what we commonly know as a RAP.

And it’s come about during NAIDOC week. Let’s find out about it. Doctor Manda Page is the CEO of South West NRM. Good morning Manda.

Dr Manda Page

Good morning. How are you?

Peter Barr

Great, thank you very much. Now, why was it important to have an official plan in place?

Dr Manda Page

This is the first time that we’ve had a RAP and this is the beginning of our journey and I think it’s really important for organisations to do this because it demonstrates our commitment and our intent to take meaningful actions towards, you know, working well with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Peter Barr

What does it take to get a RAP happening. It must be a complicated business?

Dr Manda Page

It’s actually not that complicated. You work with Reconciliation Australia, which is a fantastic organisation. And they provide, you really great advice and good feedback. And so, it’s a bit of a journey. It did, you know, it did take us several months, but I think it was well worth it.

What it did is it enabled us to have a much deeper understanding of what this was about, why we were doing it and better understand the sphere of influence, we could actually have, to make a contribution beyond just our workplace.

Peter Barr

Did you look around and say something was missing?

Dr Manda Page

We’ve always had a really deep respect and a good working relationship with the Traditional Custodians here, because we work in the environment and we’re very much about looking after and restoring country. I think that mutual respect was always there. There was a feeling that we could make a deeper contribution and that we could actually, you know, put it on the table and commit to it and demonstrate to everybody that we work with how important this is for us all to do.

Peter Barr

Can we have a bit of a closer look at it then Doctor Manda Page? It’s on the table. Let’s have a look at the RAP. How will it look like on the ground? What effect will it have?

Dr Manda Page

It’s already had an effect by the fact of making us more aware of what we do and having some of our processes and procedures. There’s three pillars to it, there’s Relationships, Respect and Opportunities and we have very clear actions of what we want to achieve over the next 12 months or so.

Which includes, you know, strengthening our mutually beneficial relationships with our local groups here by increasing our understanding and demonstrating that respect in everything we do. By making sure staff are trained in being culturally aware and that we just work in a really open, honest space and also look at some opportunities.

There’s things that we can do better. So we would really love to work towards diversifying our staff and making sure that we offer opportunities to Aboriginal Enterprises that are local to the area and do everything we can in our space.

Peter Barr

As NRM’s work is in environmental conservation, can you see more involvement from first Nations people and employing their local knowledge in that area?

Dr Manda Page

Absolutely. And you know, it absolutely goes without saying, I mean we’re so lucky here in terms of the South West Native Title Settlement, one of the most amazing processes that have happened Australia-wide in this space. And, you know, it’s right here in the South West.

I really would like us to work towards not just engaging but really, collaborating. And making sure that we embed that knowledge throughout everything we do, and the decisions we make towards the environment.

Peter Barr

And it’s NAIDOC Week Doctor Manda Page, a serendipitous time to introduce a RAP, going some way to furthering reconciliation, the goals of NAIDOC Week.

Dr Manda Page

Absolutely. And I wanted to acknowledge NAIDOC week, of course. Because, you know what, a great time for us to celebrate this. And, we’re doing some events locally, but absolutely, I mean, I really think NAIDOC Week has just grown to be such an amazing event that we actually all look forward to. And I hope it really does demonstrate our commitment further. But also raise the awareness for everybody about how much better we can be here in Australia if we do recognise and make this journey together towards reconciliation.

Peter Barr

Appreciate your time. This morning during NAIDOC Week, Doctor Manda Page it’s a pleasure.

Dr Manda Page

Thanks very much.

Peter Barr

Doctor Manda Page, South West NRM Chief Executive Officer. Their Reconciliation Action Plan is now in place.