Working together to build the next

Kalkadoon artist Bree Buttenshaw’s theme artwork for National Reconciliation Week 2025 captures native plants regenerating after fire, thriving through adversity.

“Our shared responsibility is to lay strong foundations, so the path we’re building today can support those who come after us.”

They remind me of our ANZ First Nations trainees, the emerging leaders who bring fresh perspectives and deep cultural intelligence into the workplace.

This is a group I have come to know well in my role as ANZ’s First Nation’s Traineeship Manager - recruiting, supporting and retaining emerging First Nations bankers.

These trainees thrive in their own time and conditions, they reshape the landscape simply by showing up as their full selves.

Their journeys remind us that reconciliation is not a straight line—it is layered, evolving, and rooted in community.

But resilience, vision and the drive for change does not occur without being fostered.

Which is why Ngarga Wangaddja – ANZ’s First Nations advisory group – is so vital.

Ngarga Wangaddja means “mob talking” in the Narungga language and perfectly evokes how it is a forum for First Nation’s people within ANZ to be open about their experiences and strive for change.

As Chair of Ngarga Wangaddja, myself and our network collectively work to dismantle systemic blocks that could derail their progress.

This year’s National Reconciliation Week and its theme, “Bridging Now to Next”, led me to reflect on these roles and the potential and responsibilities they entail.

As Chair of Ngarga Wangaddja and as ANZ’s First Nations Traineeship Manager - like many of my First Nations colleagues - we stand on that bridge every day.

One foot is planted in community — grounded by ancestors, ceremony, and kinship.

The other is a busy, corporate environment.

Our shared responsibility is to lay strong foundations, so the path we’re building today can support those who come after us.

Milestones and disappointments

So what does  “Bridging Now to Next” mean in practice?

Twenty‑five years ago Corroboree 2000 convened Elders, activists and political leaders on the steps of the Sydney Opera House.

That moment shouted a national commitment to heal.

Since then, we have celebrated milestones: “Closing the Gap” targets refined, the Apology to the Stolen Generations, and landmark Native Title determinations.

But we have also felt the sting of disappointments, highlighting the need to maintain our focus on engaging our community.

Mob talking with purpose

Ngarga Wangaddja positions First Nations employees at the policy table for ANZ.

We focus on identity, cultural wellbeing and psychological safety, providing lived‑experience advice directly to ANZ’s Executive Committee.

Through persistent advocacy we have influenced the creation of the Head of First Nations Strategy role. This has been filled by Nyoongar woman Shelley Cable.

Other achievements include launching the internal mob only hub ‘Bulurru Yugi’ and also analysing My Voice (ANZ’s employee engagement survey) data to surface racism, workload inequity and career barriers.

We have also influenced the forthcoming ANZ First Nations Strategy 2025‑2035 - to be launched in June.

Cultural leave

A key achievement of Ngarga Wangaddja is securing cultural leave for ANZ First Nations employees. This is about enabling First Nations employees the space to attend to vital moments in the life of their communities.

Ngarga Wangaddja’s push for cultural leave will cut unplanned absences and, more importantly, signal respect. Because a bridge only works if people trust it will hold when they step on.

By normalising cultural practices, it helps deepen understanding and respect across teams. Culture isn’t an optional extra, it’s a central part of who we are.

Cultural leave affirms identity by demonstrating that ANZ values ceremony, kinship, and cultural obligations. It plays a powerful role in building a culturally safe and respectful workplace.

And ultimately it will improve retention as people can bring their whole selves to work, and they will be more likely to stay and thrive.

This important initiative lays another plank in the reconciliation bridge—connecting values to action.

Secure the “Next”

So, what can we do together to bridge the next?

For example, any colleague can perform an Acknowledgement of Country. But often the responsibility falls to a First Nations person.

Do we recognise when well-meaning actions become cultural load?

Reconciliation isn’t just about learning the right words; it’s about building the confidence and accountability to act in culturally respectful ways.

This means knowing when to step up, when to listen, and how to make space for First Nations voices in everyday decision-making. Awareness is the first step—but true change comes from intelligence in action.

Supporting identified roles

The growth of First Nations-identified roles across the bank is something to celebrate, but with them often comes an invisible layer of cultural responsibility.

That’s why we hold mob-only spaces where culture can be shared, honoured, and protected—without our peers having to carry it alone. These spaces are where strength is restored, and connection thrives.

Embedding community into design

Too often, programs are designed for mob, not with us. True reconciliation means embedding community voices from the start—not as consultants at the end. Whether it’s shaping products, policies or recruitment strategies, co-design with community leads to better outcomes, deeper trust, and solutions that reflect lived experience. This is how we build a bridge that stands strong on both sides.

A call to action for allies

There are things we can all do.

For workplace leaders, lean in and treat cultural intelligence like you treat Non-Financial Risk—it is risk mitigation and growth strategy in one.

For colleagues who might have a First Nations teammate taking cultural leave, ask what support the team can provide.

And for newcomers, start by pronouncing Ngarga Wangaddja (NAR‑gah WUN‑gad‑jah) and naming the Country you live on. It’s the small, consistent actions that help close the biggest gaps.

Walking together

Twenty-five years after Corroboree 2000 we stand together—First Nations and non-Indigenous Australians—looking ahead. We’re not there yet, but the foundations are solid. If we keep building together, our jarjums (children) will have a stronger, safer path than the one we started on.

Now is our time to act. Next is ours to shape. Let’s walk this path together.

Tenielle Rolfe is Inclusion Program Manager at ANZ