The past year has seen great progress on Greening Australia’s reconciliation commitments, in the context of deep national reflection about the significant role and place of First Nations Peoples in this country.

As the Thriving on Country (TOC) Committee, we have leaned into our strong and trusting relationship with Greening Australia to co-design policies, projects and strategies that set the foundations of sustained transformation and positive impact for years to come.

We’ve enjoyed greater integration with the senior leadership team, the RAP Working Group, and celebrated Birriah, Turrbal and Nywaigi man Scott Anderson becoming the first Aboriginal representative appointed to the Greening Australia Board.

Securing funding to build Greening Australia’s TOC initiative marks an extraordinary milestone. This powerful opportunity will combine First Nations perspectives and expertise into the core business strategy through collaborative long-term partnerships. It will provide a platform to attract diverse sources of investment to enhance and scale meaningful outcomes for Country, Culture and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities.

As a nation, we continue to face significant environmental, social and economic challenges. Now is the time to prioritise pivotal leadership and innovation, and focus our combined efforts on delivering impactful and sustainable changes that better support all Australians to collectively thrive.

The progress made during the past 12 months has once again demonstrated to the TOC Committee that Greening Australia is genuine about overcoming challenges and barriers with tangible, focussed and strategic actions, taken hand in hand with the First Nations Peoples of Australia.

Thriving on Country Committee (L-R): Scott Anderson (Chair), Dave mangenner Gough, Sian Gillam, Dr Elizabeth McEntyre, Kieren Gibbs, Karen Jacobs.