The APA acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea, and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
CONNECT
Yarning Sessions
Each year, the APA's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Committee (the Committee) hosts yarning sessions to support our community of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander physiotherapists and physiotherapy students, and offer a safe environment to connect, debrief and grow alongside each other.
The sessions also offer the opportunity to express the positives, negatives and all of the in-between.
Mentoring
Interested in finding a mentor or mentoring others? the APA's Mentoring Programs facilitate the connection between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander physiotherapists and the broader membership.
The official APA Facebook group that represents the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Committee within the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
This group has been established to allow members to share and discuss information relevant to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and physiotherapy, including sharing of articles, blog posts, social media content, professional development opportunities, and discussion of issues that affect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the physiotherapy profession in Australia.
Referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament
The APA supports the Voice as part of its commitment to improving health and reducing the burden of disease for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, who experience a burden of disease that is more than double of those who are non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
In preparation for the referendum later this year, we organised a special webinar about the proposed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice with Rachel Perkins – an Arrernte and Kalkadoon woman, multi-award-winning filmmaker, and Co-Chair of Australians for Indigenous Constitutional Recognition.
The APA recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the first peoples of Australia, who have been the custodians of these lands and waters for millennia. Wherever you are in Australia you are on the lands, waterways and seas of Australia’s First Peoples.
To explore the Traditional Custodians of the land you’re on, and to view a map of Indigenous Australia, visit the AIATSIS website, or your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander land council or cultural centre.
Professional Development
APA's online learning platform includes a Cultural Capability category dedicated to educating all physiotherapists on cultural safety and reconciliation, including the highly recommended Close the Gap on-demand lecture.
This free online program provides a ‘scaffold’ to help health professionals deepen their understanding of Aboriginal cultural values, beliefs and practices. It consists of five self-directed learning modules:
The Australian Physiotherapy Council developed an online Cultural Safety Training for Physiotherapists course in partnership with The University of Melbourne for internationally-trained physiotherapists becoming registered in Australia. This well-received course was developed under the guidance of a First Nations Advisory Committee, and has been adapted for the Australian profession. The APA are very proud to make this available through the APA’s PD catalogue from November 2022.
Join proud Kamilaroi man and APA member, Cameron Edwards, as he has a yarn with Deadly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander physiotherapists from around Australia.
Experience the wisdom and guidance of these Deadly physios as they share their personal stories about truth-telling, connection to Country, culture and language, the power of yarning, Reconciliation and Closing the Gap.
Featuring:
Music from Lowendjeri Boonwurrung Kulin man, Rudi Louis Taylor-Bragge.
Artwork by Emma Bamblett, a descendant from Wemba Wemba, Gunditjmara, Ngadjonji and Taungurung people.
National Reconciliation Week (NRW), which occurs between 27 May–3 June, offers us an opportunity to reflect on our individual and collective commitment to reconciliation.
The date of NRW each year commemorates two significant milestones in our reconciliation journey—the successful 1967 referendum and the High Court Mabo decision. Visit Reconciliation Australia for more information.
You can also visit the get involved webpage for ideas and to see what activities are planned in your local area to commemorate the NRW.
How you can get involved:
participate in the APA’s free online cultural awareness training and encourage your staff and co-workers to also take part
find who the traditional owners are of the land on which you practice and invite local elders to speak with your staff
talk to your staff about the importance of culturally safe practice
celebrate and participate in Close the Gap Day (15 March) and National Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June) and create opportunities to build and maintain relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
National NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia in the first week of July each year (Sunday to Sunday), to celebrate and recognise the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC Week is an opportunity for all Australians to learn about First Nations cultures and histories and participate in celebrations of the oldest, continuous living cultures on earth. You can support and get to know your local Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities through activities and events held across the country.
This year, 2023, we launched the third season of The Deadly Physios podcast to celebrate 2023 NAIDOC Week. The first episode recognises this year’s theme, ‘For Our Elders’, by amplifying leading voices on how embodying allyship can address healthcare inequity. Don't miss any episodes! Listen to the Deadly Physios now.
The APA supports the Close the Gap campaign and calls on all Australians to recommit to a long-term vision for health equality. We are also calling on governments to commit to a long-term multi-party focus on health equality, to adequate resourcing for health and to genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations.
The APA recognises the importance of a strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander physiotherapy workforce, and the significant contribution that physiotherapists make to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
APA has developed several opportunities that aim to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander physiotherapists and grow the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people entering the profession.
The Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) recognises the importance of a strong Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander physiotherapy workforce, and the significant contribution that physiotherapists make to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.
The APA is offering one (1) bursary to support an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander physiotherapist to attend Indigenous Allied Health Australia’s 2023 National Conference on the Sunshine Coast from 27 to 29 November. The bursary will cover the cost of conference registration, return economy airfares, accommodation, and transport.
Who is it for?
To be eligible to apply for a conference bursary, applicants must:
Identify as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person.
Be a registered physiotherapist.
Be a current financial member of the APA at the time of application, and
Not be a current member of the APA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Committee.
In support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander physiotherapy students, up to four scholarships valued at $5,000 (to be provided in one lump-sum payment) will be awarded in 2023.
Who is it for?
To be eligible to apply for this Scholarship, applicants must:
Be an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person; and
Be enrolled in a physiotherapy degree at an Australian university.
In support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander qualified physiotherapists at various career stages, up to five annual APA memberships and National Group subscriptions valued up to $1,430 (depending on the membership type and National Group chosen) will be awarded each year.
Who is it for?
To be eligible to apply for this sponsorship, applicants must:
be an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person;
be eligible for a paid membership type with APA (those eligible for otherwise complimentary memberships should join APA via regular pathways); and
have not previously been awarded the sponsorship*
*Applicants who are not successful with their application may apply for sponsorship again in the following year if they meet the eligibility criteria.
In support of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander physiotherapists and leaders, one scholarship to attend the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) Company Directors or Foundations of Directorship course (for the awardee to decide), valued up to approx. $10,000, will be awarded in 2023.
The Company Directors course is designed to help experienced directors, executives and leaders develop a deeper understanding of governance issues and improve their performance.
The Foundations of Directorship course is designed to help aspiring and new directors learn the fundamentals of the boardroom.
The dates for both AICD courses are flexible, and are delivered through both online and offline learning formats.
Who is it for?
To be eligible to apply for this Scholarship, applicants must:
Be an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person; and
Be a current financial member of the APA at the time of application and during the year of study.
Be an experienced leader within an organisation.
Have the ability and desire to contribute as a board member in the future.
Commit to commence study in the current year.
How do I apply?
APPLICATIONS OPEN.
To apply, please provide a written statement that addresses each of the selection criteria outlined above. You will also need to supply the following:
An outline of the anticipated benefits of completing the AICD program for you, your organisation and/or your community (maximum of two pages).
Written statements from TWO referees in support of your application. These should comment on your leadership experience and your involvement with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and communities.
The APA has a vision of reconciliation in Australia where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge and traditional ways of healing are recognised.
The APA has bursaries available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students studying physiotherapy or recently graduated physiotherapists, to attend the 2023 APA Conference. Each bursary will cover the cost of conference registration fees, return economy airfares (for the bursary holder only), accommodation, and incidental costs (including travel).
Who is it for?
To be eligible to apply for a conference bursary, applicants must:
Be an Australian Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander person; and
Be a student in their final two years of a physiotherapy course OR a physiotherapist who has graduated within the last three years.
Have not previously received an APA conference bursary OR has received one bursary previously.
Not be a current member of the APA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Committee.
How do I apply?
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED.
GET INVOLVED
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Committee
The Committee plays a significant role in guiding the APA's Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander physiotherapists. The Committee comprises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Indigenous clinicians and researchers, and reports directly to the APA Board of Directors. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Committee has ex-officio membership of APA National President and proud Palawa man Scott Willis, a champion of the RAP, broad support from APA CEO Anja Nikolic, also a champion of our RAP, and additional members with experience or a passion in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing.
Contact us to find out how you can get involved with the Committee.
Chair
Kathryn Potter (2022 - present)
Kathryn Potter is the current Chair of the APA's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Committee.
A proud Kamilaroi woman, Kathryn is a physiotherapist with Metro South Health in South East Queensland, where she works as an Advanced Physiotherapist in the Women's, Men's and Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Service at Logan Hospital. Kathryn is also the Managing Director and co-founder of Physiotherapy Innovations, a company she started in 2014 to market her respiratory device Therabubble–a bubble 'positive expiratory pressure' device for airway clearance and improved ventilation.
In addition to her physiotherapy work, Kathryn is active in the Indigenous business and health community in Queensland as a mentor, an educator and a leader.
Banner acknowledgement: Jakeob Watson, proud Gomeroi man with deep connections to Wonnarua country after being born and raised on country, in Maitland NSW. Artwork is from the APA Innovate RAP 2022 – 2024.
