Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) | Our Progress

Acknowledgement: Melbourne Polytechnic acknowledges the Kulin Nation Peoples' traditional learnings and teachings which occurred for thousands of years on the land where Melbourne Polytechnic's campuses are now located. We pay respect to their Elders, past and present.

Joint statement from our Board Chair and Chief Executive

Melbourne Polytechnic’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) 2026-2028 is a significant milestone in our ongoing commitment to reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

As an educational institution, we recognise our responsibility to shape inclusive communities and honour the deep cultural knowledge that has existed on these lands for tens of thousands of years. This RAP reflects our commitment to moving beyond acknowledgement, embedding reconciliation in meaningful, measurable action.

As Chair of the Melbourne Polytechnic Board and Chief Executive, we recognise that reconciliation is a continuous process of listening, learning and acting. Our Innovate RAP strengthens our focus on building respectful relationships, creating opportunities, and embedding cultural understanding across our organisation.

This plan has been shaped by the voices and leadership of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It outlines clear actions to strengthen relationships, expand opportunities, and embed cultural understanding across all areas of Melbourne Polytechnic. The Board and Executive Leadership Committee are fully committed to delivering this plan and holding ourselves accountable for meaningful, lasting change. We invite our community to engage with this RAP and be part of its delivery. Together, we can help shape a more inclusive and reconciled future.

Helen Clarke, Board Chair
Frances Coppolillo, Chief Executive

Our Reconciliation Action Plan progress and achievements

Reconciliation is an ongoing journey – one that requires commitment, transparency and meaningful action. Through our RAP, we have set out a clear pathway to strengthen relationships, build respect, and create opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across Melbourne Polytechnic and the communities in which we serve.

Our RAP includes 87 actions across 17 deliverables, aligned to the four key pillars of relationships, respect, opportunities, and governance. Together, these actions reflect our commitment to embedding reconciliation into the way we work, learn and engage.

This page provides an overview of our progress, highlighting key achievements and areas of ongoing focus. We remain committed to listening, learning and working in partnership as we continue our reconciliation journey.

Highlights and achievements

• Successfully launched our RAP at our Collingwood campus, marking a significant milestone in our reconciliation journey.
• Finalised governance arrangements to support the oversight and delivery of our RAP over the next 2 years.
• Engaged senior leaders and staff through presentations and communications, building awareness and encouraging collective ownership of RAP commitments
• Held our most extensive National Reconciliation Week program to date, featuring events delivered across multiple campuses over 6 days.

2026 National Reconciliation Week (NRW)

National Reconciliation Week was an opportunity for the Melbourne Polytechnic community to reflect on a complex past and deepen our understanding of Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culture and histories.

More than 600 students and staff attended six events across multiple campuses, creating meaningful opportunities to listen, learn and engage. The program featured significant cultural elements, including smoking ceremonies led by Yurrongi Centre Coordinator Phil Murray, Welcome to Country from Elders, and a range of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performances.

The week also fostered strong community connection, with shared meals hosted across Preston, Collingwood and Prahran campuses, supported by the SLAM team and enhanced by the Commercial Cookery team preparing over 300 servings of kangaroo and vegetarian burgers. Student participation was particularly strong, with active involvement in performances, discussions and engagement with the Yurrongi Centre, complemented by library initiatives showcasing curated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resources and dedicated collections to support ongoing learning.