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For National Reconciliation Week, we’re proud to share the story and reflections of Liz Heta — Wiradjuri Elder, Aboriginal Liaison Officer at Nolan House, and longstanding advocate for Aboriginal health, cultural safety and community connection.    

Through decades of nursing, community leadership and advocacy, Liz has worked to bridge understanding, empower others and ensure Aboriginal people receive care grounded in respect, compassion and culture. 

Here, Liz shares her reflections: 

Tell us about your role as an Aboriginal Liaison Officer. 

As an ALO in an acute mental health service, what I do is different from other ALOs in the hospital. I support and advocate for Aboriginal clients on the ward. I facilitate yarning and weaving groups and support the Allied Health team in their groups. I also support the team in cultural understanding and occasionally run workshops. I work with the team introducing cultural ways into everyday programs, such as bringing bush food into the cooking program. 

What do you love most about the role?  

I love to share my experiences and knowledge. When my time comes to retire, knowing I have made a difference and empowering staff to know they can make a difference is my motivation.  

Looking back on your career and community work, what are you most proud of? 

I kept my integrity and stayed true to who I am. I learnt to walk in two worlds and believed in myself to take on opportunities. I am proud of the work I did to ensure the community was connected, and services were providing the best quality care. I enjoyed bringing Aboriginal culture, history and arts to the forefront of all community through events and the Ngan Girra Festival.  

This year’s National Reconciliation Week theme is All In — a reminder that reconciliation takes all of us, listening, learning and walking together. What does being “All In” for reconciliation mean to you? 

To me, I reflect on what my mother Wiradjuri Elder Nancy Rooke OAM said: "We walk together, work together and talk together in a conciliative way." We need to understand our own bias and be humble to listen as we all journey together to know more about Australia's First Nations people. 

In healthcare, what does it look like when people genuinely commit to reconciliation? 

Health for Aboriginal people is holistic health, trauma informed care and person centred care. Caring for someone is not just the medical model – we can have empathy and knowledge that allows us to be the person who makes a difference, no matter your role. You can reflect and have a cultural lens over all you do. 

Not everyone has the same life experiences. Cultural diversities we not only learn from books but also from participating in community. Reconciliation is about connecting.