Healthy Male

Action Plan

Our business

Healthy Male is a peak men’s health organisation that has been committed to improving male health for over 24 years.

As leaders in male physical, sexual and mental health, we do much more than provide trusted health information to the community and health professionals. Working in collaboration with others to improve male health, Healthy Male advocates for change, empowers men and boys to act on their health, builds the capabilities of the health system and workforce, and prioritises efforts to close the health and wellbeing gaps in specific groups. Ultimately, we are working towards our vision of ‘generations of healthy Australian men’.

Healthy Male is a small organisation with a wide reach. We work nationally with various communities, health professionals, researchers, peak bodies, partner agencies and governments. Our head office is in Melbourne, Victoria on Bunurong land. We directly employ seven staff, and in partnership with Flinders University, employ a National Project Officer — Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health who identifies as an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person.

Our RAP

Healthy Male’s Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a demonstration of our commitment to ensuring that our work reflects culturally appropriate practice, and that as a socially responsible organisation, we continue to promote mutual respect, inclusion, equity and the building of cross-cultural understandings.

This RAP has been developed by our Reconciliation Working Group (RWG): a team of four, with one member identifying as an Aboriginal person and another identifying as an Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander person. Members include Diana Todaro (Business Administrator), Ali Peipers (Project Consultant), Jason Bonson (National Project Coordinator) and Jack Bulman (Mibbinbah CEO). Jason and Jack are both also members of Heathy Male’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health Reference Group.

Two senior leaders will be our RAP Champions — Simon von Saldern (our CEO) and Dr Keith Gleeson (a Board Director and Aboriginal person).

The RAP has the full support of the Healthy Male Board and staff. Although it is a plan that will be actioned by staff, we will engage the wider Healthy Male network and our committees of over 60 volunteers in its delivery.

Implementation of the RAP will be an embedded practice across the organisation. The RWG will meet quarterly. The RAP will feature as a standing item on staff meeting agendas (bi-monthly). Our Business Administrator, who is across all organisational activities, will play a significant role in the monitoring and execution of the RAP. Healthy Male’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health Reference Group and Board will receive regular progress reports.

Our current activities

Healthy Male has a strong commitment to improving the health of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males. One of the foundational principles that underpins our work is:

Respect for First Nations peoples — Honouring their rich cultures, customs and beliefs and connection to the lands and waters upon which we operate.

Although this is our first RAP, it is by no means the beginning of our work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, or of our commitment to reconciliation.

Healthy Male supports the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart, which calls for constitutional reform. We promote and adhere to the principle of self-determination by embedding First Nations knowledge and lived-experience into our work.

The actions in our RAP align with our 2021-2026 Strategic Plan and our commitment to embracing the nine priority population groups of the National Men’s Health Strategy 2020-2030, which includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males.

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health Reference Group has been advising our work for over 20 years. Members include Aboriginal Elders and leaders in their respective fields of research, health service provision and health professional workforce development. The group also comprises experts in strategic policy, primary health care, and general practice, as well as CEOs of private and community – controlled entities. Each member has an established profile and is recognised nationally for their enthusiasm, commitment, and leadership in improving the health and wellbeing, position and status of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males.

At the recommendation of the Reference Group, Healthy Male is scoping and planning for the development of a new entity/organisation that will create a trusted space for the creation and dissemination of health and wellbeing information and programs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and boys.

Relationships

Healthy Male will continue to work to build strong and respectful relationships and meaningful partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and organisations.

ActionDeliverableTimelineResponsibility
Establish and strengthen mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations. Identify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations within our local area or sphere of influence, identify gaps and scope opportunities for developing relationships.  Feb 2026Lead: National Project Coordinator 
Support: Business Administrator
Establish and strengthen mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations, fostering collaboration, trust, and shared outcomes in alignment with reconciliation goals. e.g. consider shared-funding opportunities, explore new partnerships etc. Oct 2027Lead: National Project Coordinator 
Support: Business Administrator
Research best practice and principles that support partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations.Dec 2026Business Administrator
Build relationships through celebrating National Reconciliation Week (NRW).Circulate Reconciliation Australia’s NRW resources and reconciliation materials to our staff, along with details of the annual theme and local event options.May 2026, May 2027Business Administrator
RWG members to participate in an external NRW event and share learnings.27 May-3 Jun, 2026 & 2027Business Administrator
Encourage and support staff and senior leaders to participate in at least one external event to recognise and celebrate NRW.27 May-3 Jun, 2026 & 2027Business Administrator
Make supportive statements about NRW via Healthy Male’s social media.27 May-3 Jun, 2026 & 2027Communications Manager
Promote reconciliation through our sphere of influence.Communicate our commitment to reconciliation to all staff. Apr 2025CEO
Identify and map key Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and external stakeholders relevant to our organisation’s work that our organisation can engage with on our reconciliation journey.Sep 2026Lead: National Project Coordinator 
Support: Business Administrator
Identify RAP organisations and other like-minded organisations that we could approach to collaborate with on our reconciliation journey.Sep 2026Business Administrator 
Include information about Healthy Male’s RAP on the website.May 2026Communications Manager
Make changes to staff email signature blocks to mark key events.At least once by Dec 2026 and again by Jun 2027Communications Manager
Develop a social media plan to support NRW, NAIDOC Week and other key Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dates.May 2026, 2027Communications Manager
Promote reconciliation during webinars and online forums.Review Oct 2027CEO
Document statements from one or more representatives of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health Reference Group explaining why the RAP is important to Healthy Male.Aug 2026Communications Manager
Launch the RAP, possibly with an online event with stakeholders and an internal event to celebrate the launch with staff.May 2026Lead: Communications Manager Support: Business Administrator & National Project Coordinator
Promote positive race relations through anti-discrimination strategies.Research best practice and policies in areas of race relations and anti-discrimination.Jun 2026Business Administrator
Include a statement about Healthy Male being an equal opportunity employer in job advertisements, and encourage applicants from diverse cultural backgrounds and with diverse experiences.Jun 2026Business Administrator
Promote roles that are focussed on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people through appropriate networks.Review Jun 2027Business Administrator
Conduct a review of HR policies and procedures to identify existing anti-discrimination provisions, and future needs.Jun 2026Business Administrator

Respect

Healthy Male respects cultural diversity. We are committed to understanding and acknowledging Australia’s history and its impact on the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly men and boys. We will promote and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and build cultural awareness and cultural safety at every level of the organisation, acknowledging that the development of cultural competency is an on-going learning experience.

ActionDeliverableTimelineResponsibility
Increase understanding, value and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledge and rights through cultural learning.Develop a business case for increasing understanding, value and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledge and rights within our organisation.Jun 2027Business Administrator
Regularly circulate resources to staff to help raise cultural awareness, cultural understanding and respect, to strengthen cultural connections, and to assist staff to embrace cultural diversity. Topics may include issues such as the Uluru Statement from the Heart, National Apology, Northern Territory Emergency Response, Stolen Generation, the 1967 Referendum, Land Rights Act, Closing the GAP, the MABO decision etc. Resources may include videos, case studies, website links and invited guest speakers. Where possible, align distribution with the Cultural Calendar of Events. Schedule reflections and discussions on Team meeting agendas.Bi-monthly with reviews Dec 2026 & June 2027Business Administrator
Conduct a review of cultural learning needs within our organisation.Jul 2026Business Administrator
Demonstrate respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples by observing cultural protocols.Develop an understanding of the local Traditional Owners or Custodians of the lands and waters within our organisation’s operational area by researching, documenting and sharing information with staff about the Bunurong people of the South-Eastern Kulin Nation.May 2026Business Administrator
Increase staff’s understanding of the purpose and significance behind cultural protocols, by developing a Protocols Guideline, including Acknowledgement of Country and Welcome to Country protocols.  Jun 2027
Lead: Project Consultant
Support: Business Administrator
Maintain signage acknowledging the Traditional Custodians of the land at the public entrance of the Healthy Male office.Review Sep 2027Business Administrator
Display a map of First Nations Australia at the Healthy Male office to serve as a visual reminder of the richness and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.Apr 2026Business Administrator
Include statements of acknowledgement in guidelines, reports and relevant Healthy Male resources.Review Sep 2027Communications Manager
Build respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories by celebrating NAIDOC Week. Raise awareness and share information amongst our staff about the meaning of NAIDOC Week.Jun 2026 & 2027Business Administrator
Introduce our staff to NAIDOC Week by promoting external events in our local area.Jun 2026 & 2027Business Administrator
RWG members to participate in an external NAIDOC Week event. Jun 2026 & 2027Business Administrator
Promote and provide information about NAIDOC Week via Healthy Male’s social media. Jun 2026 & 2027Communications Manager

Opportunities

Healthy Male will pursue opportunities to increase the employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and the engagement Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.

ActionDeliverableTimelineResponsibility
Improve employment outcomes by increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander recruitment, retention and professional development. Develop a business case for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment within our organisation.Jun 2027
Lead: Business Administrator
Support: CEO
Prioritise the employment of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander staff for projects focussed on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander male health.Sept 2027CEO
Build understanding of current Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staffing to inform future employment and professional development opportunities.Apr 2026
Business Administrator
Ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff receive professional career development opportunities.Review Sep 2027CEO
Increase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander supplier diversity to support improved economic and social outcomes. Develop a business case for procurement from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned businesses.Jun 2027Business Administrator
Investigate Supply Nation membership.Apr 2026Business Administrator
Add Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander catering companies to our list of suppliers.Apr 2026Business Administrator

Governance

Healthy Male will apply strong governance principles to the oversight our RAP.

ActionDeliverableTimelineResponsibility
Establish and maintain an effective RAP Working Group (RWG) to drive governance of the RAP.Maintain a RWG to govern RAP implementation.Review Dec 2026, Sep 2027CEO
Maintain Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander representation on the RWG by ensuring members of the Healthy Male Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health Reference Group are included and that there are Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal members. Review Dec 2026, Sep 2027CEO
Draft a Terms of Reference for the RWG. Apr 2027Project Consultant
Ensure the RWG meets quarterly to progress projects, monitor and report on RAP implementation.Review Sep 2027Business Administrator
Provide appropriate support for effective implementation of RAP commitments.Define resource needs for RAP implementation.Apr 2026CEO
Engage senior leaders in the delivery of RAP commitments. Apr 2026CEO
Maintain CEO and a Board Director as senior leaders to champion our RAP internally.Jun 2027CEO
Define appropriate systems and capability to track, measure and report on RAP commitments.Apr 2026 & 2027
Business Administrator
Define appropriate systems and capability to track, measure and report on RAP commitments. Quarterly monitoring will include use of project management tracking software with visibility for RWG members and staff. Review Sep 2027Business Administrator
Build accountability and transparency through reporting RAP achievements, challenges and learnings both internally and externally.Contact Reconciliation Australia to verify that our primary and secondary contact details are up to date, to ensure we do not miss out on important RAP correspondence.Jun annuallyBusiness Administrator 
Contact Reconciliation Australia to request our unique link, to access the online RAP Impact Survey.1 Aug annuallyBusiness Administrator
Provide RAP updates at each quarterly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Male Health Reference Group meeting.Sep 2026 & 2027CEO
Provide at least one RAP update to the Board annually.Feb 2027CEO
Complete and submit the annual RAP Impact Survey to Reconciliation Australia.30 Sep annually Business Administrator
Continue our reconciliation journey by developing our next RAP. Make a decision regarding future RAP plan.30 Jun 2027CEO
Pending decision, register via Reconciliation Australia’s website to begin developing our next RAP.30 Jun 2027Business Administrator

Contact

Simon von Saldern
CEO and RAP Executive Champion
1300 303 878
[email protected]