Gold Coast Primary Health Network’s Reconciliation Action Plan

Our vision for reconciliation

Our vision is for an inclusive Australian community, which

• acknowledges the impacts of our history
• values Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous cultures, rights and experiences
• builds respectful and trusted relationships between all Australians
• contributes to a strong shared national culture of compassion and connection.

The Gold Coast Primary Health Network acknowledges the importance of reconciliation in building one world class health system for the families of the Yugambeh Language Region of South East Queensland. We aim to embed cultural understanding into our internal and external activities, striving for equal health, social and emotional wellbeing outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through a culturally informed, welcoming and proud environment.

Our Innovate RAP

We are excited to announce that GCPHN’s refreshed Innovate RAP has been endorsed by Reconciliation Australia and we held our official launch on April 15th 2021. 

Our Innovate RAP spans from February 2021 – December 2022, led by the RAP Committee with support from all teams within our organisation. 

As we move into implementation, GCPHN will work with the local Elders advisory groups to include further representation on the RAP committee. 

Artwork: Narelle Urquhart – Wiradjuri woman. Artwork depicts a strong community, with good support for each other, day or night. One mob.

Our region’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

The Traditional Custodians of the Gold Coast region and surrounding area are the families of the Yugambeh Language Region. Geographically, the Gold Coast region stretches from Coolangatta in the south up to Logan and Albert Rivers in the north/north west; and to Tamborine, Mt Tamborine, Canungra and Beechmont to the west. This comprises of the City of the Gold Coast Council as well as the neighbouring Tamborine – Canungra which is part of the Scenic Rim Regional Council. The Gold Coast region adjoins the NSW border and as such, the growing population south of the border often access services within the Gold Coast region.

As of 2018 the Gold Coast is home to an estimated 622,048 people and nearly 10,000 people in the region identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people (1.7% of the population). Comparatively, the proportion of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the region is lower compared to Queensland. However, within the region, Coolangatta has the largest percentage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents (2.3%) and Ormeau-Oxenford has the highest number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents (2350), a population that has almost doubled since 2011.