Pictured: Belgravia Leisure team members Tabitha, Clinton, Wayne & Jen.

In late 2024, Belgravia Leisure reached an important milestone in its reconciliation journey, with Reconciliation Australia formally endorsing an Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). 

Belgravia Leisure’s Innovate RAP sets out clear and meaningful actions to strengthen relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, create culturally safe and welcoming environments across its venues, and increase opportunities for participation, employment and partnership. Underpinning this work is a commitment to balance, representation and inclusion across all cultures, genders and backgrounds. 

Since endorsement, Belgravia Leisure has made significant progress, extending the reach and on the ground impact of its Innovate RAP through sector leadership, data‑led accountability and community‑driven local action. 

Belgravia Leisure CEO Nick Cox recognised the importance of the progress made on the Innovate RAP’s goals thus far. 

“Our Innovate RAP is not just a document, it is a commitment to action. I am incredibly proud of the teams across Belgravia Leisure who are turning this commitment into meaningful outcomes. The impact we are seeing on the ground, particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who have too often experienced exclusion, reinforces why this work matters and why we will continue to lead with purpose.” 

Building cultural capability across the leisure sector

Developed in partnership with the Belgravia Foundation and in consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, employees and community leaders, CultureWise supports employees of leisure management organisations to better understand culture, history and lived experience. Importantly, the program has been made freely available to the industry to help drive consistent standards of cultural respect and inclusion beyond Belgravia Leisure’s own operations.

Employment pathways and workforce participation 

Creating meaningful employment opportunities remains a priority under Belgravia Leisure’s Innovate RAP. 

In May 2026, Belgravia Leisure expanded its participation in the Be Deadly Expo, organised by the Aboriginal Advancement League, with representation from 13 Belgravia Leisure venues. The event provided direct connections between Aboriginal job seekers and local leisure facilities, supporting visibility of career pathways across aquatics, fitness, customer service and leadership roles. 

Belgravia Leisure’s inaugural workforce census in late 2023 highlighted that the number of team members identifying as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander was 3.5%, rising at the 2025 to 3.8% to achieve parity with national population data. Additionally, data from the recent 2026 census will shortly provide further insight. While this provides a baseline and early trend, the organisation acknowledges there is more to do and remains focused on improving recruitment, retention and career development outcomes. 

Measuring progress through the RAP Workplace Reconciliation Barometer 

Belgravia Leisure is also demonstrating leadership through its upcoming participation in Reconciliation Australia’s 2026 RAP Workplace Reconciliation Barometer, an independently run national survey measuring employee attitudes and perceptions of reconciliation. 

By participating, Belgravia Leisure is gaining data‑driven insights across the five dimensions of reconciliation: race relations, equality and equity, unity, institutional integrity and historical acceptance. The findings will help inform future actions, strengthen accountability and guide tangible improvements that support culturally safe facilities, programs, services and employment pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

This commitment reflects a shift from intention to evidence‑based action, ensuring reconciliation efforts are informed by lived experience within the workforce. 

Local action making a difference on the ground 

Across Australia, Belgravia Leisure venues are delivering RAP commitments in locally responsive and community‑led ways: 

• SWELL Palmerston leading the charge with water safety education and inclusive participation 

At SWELL Palmerston, nearly 2,000 Aboriginal students participated in free Swim and Survive programs, building essential swimming and survival skills in regions where access to aquatic facilities is limited and drowning risk is significantly higher. Learn more here.  

Additionally, SWELL Palmerston created an opportunity for a group of grade five students from Kalkarindji – one of the Northern Territory’s most remote towns of just 334 people and the proud home of the Gurindji people – to board a bus for the 10-hour journey to the venue to take part in four days of intensive swimming lessons. Learn more here. 

Lastly, a Belgravia Foundation grant helped SWELL Palmerston deliver community programs designed to improve access and inclusion, including aqua‑based activities that removed barriers for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants and those living with injury or chronic conditions. Learn more here.  

• Culturally safe early‑years swimming programs 
  At Gungahlin Leisure Centre, the Splish Splash Aqua GOswim program is providing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander carers and children with culturally safe, supported introductions to water, helping build confidence, water familiarity and early swimming skills in partnership with Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health and Community Services. Learn more here.  

• Community leadership through inclusive sport 
  At Auburn Ruth Everuss Aquatic Centre, Community Engagement Specialist Ernest Kulauzović has been recognised for connecting diverse and First Nations communities through sport. His work includes partnerships with Aboriginal Land Councils, multicultural organisations and health agencies to create pathways into participation, employment and lifelong connection to leisure. Learn more here. 

Together, these local examples demonstrate how Belgravia Leisure’s RAP commitments translate into meaningful outcomes that strengthen safety, participation, wellbeing and connection. These commitments have also been embedded into Belgravia’s successful bids to operate several additional venues across Australia in recent months.  

Looking ahead 

Belgravia Leisure’s commitment to reconciliation continues to shape how the organisation grows. RAP commitments are now embedded into business planning and are reflected in successful bids to manage new venues across Australia, ensuring reconciliation principles are considered from day one. 

Through sector leadership, measurement, employment pathways and community‑driven action, Belgravia Leisure continues to build momentum in its Innovate RAP journey, creating lasting impact for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and the communities it serves. 

Team members are encouraged to participate in the upcoming RAP Barometer, which will launch in the coming months.

Belgravia Leisure is committed to fostering inclusive communities through social inclusion, ensuring everyone can participate in facilities, programs, services and employment.

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