Learning from First Nations Wisdom: Bridging gaps, building wellbeing
close the gap day
Close the Gap Day is a crucial reminder of the ongoing work needed to achieve health equality of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
At Medibank, we believe that the journey to health equity and reconciliation, at its core, is about recognising and valuing the profound wisdom that First Nations cultures contribute to our communities and Australia more broadly.
In that spirit, we recently hosted a special virtual event for our corporate partners, focusing on “First Nations Wisdom in Leadership.” This event, part of our Medibank Work Better Thought Leadership Series, explored how the deep connection, custodianship, and holistic care inherent in First Nations knowledge systems can transform workplace wellbeing and leadership.
We were privileged to hear from Dr. Paul Callaghan, a Worimi man and renowned author, and Mundanara Bayles, an award-winning entrepreneur and cultural capability expert. They shared invaluable insights on how embracing community, learning from traditional Lore, and adopting a long-term, sustainable approach to leadership can create healthier, more inclusive workplaces.
"In our culture, leadership is about relationships — it’s about how well you listen, not how loudly you speak," shared Mundanara Bayles, emphasising the importance of connection over direction. Meaning, First Nations leadership starts with story, not status, and that trust and connection are foundational.
"Wellbeing in our culture includes connection to land, to community, to spirit… it’s never just individual," Dr. Paul Callaghan explained. This reinforces that Indigenous wellbeing frameworks are holistic, encompassing emotional, physical, spiritual, and communal aspects. Employee experiences can focus on supporting these diverse needs in order to drive greater health and wellbeing.
The message was clear. First Nations wisdom is not just relevant to closing the health gap; it's a powerful resource for building thriving, resilient organisations. By integrating concepts like shared responsibility and holistic care, we can foster environments where employees feel connected and valued. This is critical to our aspiration of being the healthiest workplace in Australia.
Medibank remains committed to our work advancing reconciliation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health equity. We believe that by embracing First Nations wisdom, we can create not only healthier workplaces, but a healthier, more equitable future for all Australians.
