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Robert Wilson-Elwood
Aboriginal Programs Officer
,
NSW Rural Fire Service
Robert Wilson – Elwood, along with the other proud Aboriginal men in the NSW Rural Fire Service’s Aboriginal Programs Team, plays a vital role in increasing the inclusion and participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within the RFS.
Creating a culturally safe and respectful environment is essential to support their involvement. Engagement, recruitment and retention have been challenging in recent years, and the team aims to address these issues through strategies that help Area Operations achieve meaningful and lasting engagement outcomes. This requires genuine, relevant and culturally appropriate approaches, along with a shift in organisational thinking and workforce planning to build successful partnerships.
A key priority is developing authentic, long‑term relationships with Aboriginal organisations and communities. This includes initiatives such as Cultural Heritage and Awareness training for RFS members, bush fire safety programs in Discrete Aboriginal Communities, community engagement events, and support for traditional burning practices. Recruitment efforts must involve close collaboration with Aboriginal groups and respect for Cultural Protocols throughout the process.
The Aboriginal Programs Team also focuses on fire safety, mitigation and education, working closely with Aboriginal Communities, Rural Fire Districts, Area Commands and RFS Mitigation crews. Through these combined efforts, the team aims to strengthen participation, improve safety outcomes and build respectful, sustainable partnerships with Aboriginal peoples across the state.
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