The 2024 Closing the Gap report revealed a stark truth: 47% of the health gap for Aboriginal people, including life expectancy rates, is related to institutional racism, interpersonal racism, and intergenerational trauma. These findings make one thing clear: cultural safety isn't optional.

But what does cultural safety actually mean for community service organisations, and how do we achieve it?

In this episode, Nicky sits down with Becky Garrett, Operations Manager at SAHSSI and recent recipient of the 2025 Innovation Community Service Award for her work on cultural safety. Becky shares the transformative work happening at her organization and the lessons every service provider needs to hear.

Key insights include:

• Cultural safety as lived experience – It's about the subjective experience of Aboriginal staff and clients, not just checkboxes on a form.
• Moving beyond the RAP – Despite having a Reconciliation Action Plan, SAHSSI knew something more was needed. Their cultural audit revealed critical gaps and sparked organization-wide buy-in.
• Walking the talk – SAHSSI created two dedicated Cultural Lead positions on Dharawal and Yuin Countries, properly remunerating staff for cultural work rather than expecting it on top of regular duties.
• The power of listening – As Becky says: ”To really understand the impact of colonisation, you have to sit and listen really carefully”.

Despite not being an Aboriginal Controlled Organisation, SAHSSI took ownership: ”These are our clients. We have to get this right.”

This conversation is essential listening for any leader ready to move from good intentions to genuine change.

Links and Resources:

• SAHSSI website: SAHSSI | Home
• Closing the Gap Report: Closing the Gap
• The National Anti Racism Framework:The National Anti-Racism Framework Full Report 2024
• Community Service Awards: Community Services Awards 2025 — Community Industry Group
• Information about Reconciliation Action Plans:Reconciliation Action Plans – Reconciliation Australia

Acknowledgement of Country

Community Industry Group' podcast is recorded on beautiful Dharawal Country, and we acknowledge the traditional custodians of this land, and their Elders.

We acknowledge and respect their continuing culture, the world’s oldest living culture, and the contribution they make to the life of this region and our country.

We acknowledge that we live and work on Aboriginal land and recognise the strength, resilience and capacity of Aboriginal people.

Music Credit:

”Jarvic 8” by Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/