In today’s leisure and aquatics sector, access to meaningful Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness training has been limited, leaving many team members without the tools to create culturally safe environments.
That’s why Belgravia Leisure, in partnership with Belgravia Foundation, was proud to launch CultureWise – a new digital cultural awareness training program – to over 200 professionals at the annual Victorian Diversity and Inclusion in Leisure Forum on March 5, 2026 at Zinc, Federation Square.
Developed in consultation with key Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, CultureWise is designed to strengthen Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness, safety and capability. The training’s practical and accessible online program fosters respect, understanding and confidence, and takes just 30 minutes to complete.
Thanks to the significant financial contribution of Belgravia Foundation, the training will be made available free of charge to the entire leisure, aquatics, recreation and fitness industry – removing cost as a barrier and reinforcing Belgravia Foundation’s mission to promote equity and participation in community wellbeing.
Pictured: Belgravia Leisure team members Tabitha, Clinton, Wayne & Jen.
Mark Maybury, General Manager People & Culture of Belgravia Group announced the launch to the aquatics and recreation industry.
“We know that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples face barriers in leisure environments. To meet this need, we’re proud to provide a support mechanism that helps our workforce build essential cultural awareness skills.
“From a pilot that was held in November 2025, Belgravia Leisure received valuable feedback that helped to further shape CultureWise into a program that is practical, accessible and impactful.
“We’re now in a position to make this training available not only to more than 8,000 Belgravia Leisure team members across Australia, but to the entire leisure industry.”
Tayla Pallas, Belgravia Foundation Aquatics & Inclusion Coordinator, said:
“CultureWise represents a significant step forward for the aquatics, leisure and recreation sector. By equipping our teams with the cultural understanding and confidence they need, we are strengthening our commitment to creating safe, inclusive and culturally respectful environments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
“The Belgravia Foundation is proud to support this work, which is also a key action of Belgravia Leisure’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) aligned with its broader Social Inclusion Policy.
“I’ve valued the opportunity to contribute to a program that will create meaningful and lasting change across all Belgravia Leisure operated venues and beyond.”
CultureWise supports programs such as the Swim and Survive youth aquatics program at SWELL Palmerston (pictured) for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the Northern Territory. Learn more here.
Belgravia Leisure acknowledges the partners, Elders and team members whose guidance, cultural expertise and feedback have shaped CultureWise: Reconciliation Australia, Belgravia Leisure Access & Inclusion Leadership team and RAP Working Group, including two Aboriginal employees, nine Belgravia Leisure employees who identify as Aboriginal, Belgravia Foundation, Path Hunting, Wurundjeri Elders in the Moonee Valley Area, Melbourne, Mike Colville – First Peoples Cultural Safety Project Manager – City of Moonee Valley, Tonilee Scott – CEO, Bathurst Local Aboriginal Land Council, Brandon Brown – Health and Wellbeing Officer, Gandangara Local Aboriginal Land Council, Markie and Lyle – Kari Foundation.
Unpacking the 2026 Diversity and Inclusion in Leisure Forum
This year’s Victorian Diversity and Inclusion in Leisure Forum was hosted by Aquatics and Recreation Victoria (ARV) and supported by industry partners including AUSactive, Belgravia Foundation, Belgravia Leisure, BlueFit, Disability Sport & Recreation, and The Y Victoria. The event featured TEDx‑style presentations, expert panels and an interactive workshop.
Belgravia Leisure, a major sponsor of the event, were represented by 26 attendees, including five keynote speakers. Kara Monaghan, Senior Business Operations Manager VIC/TAS presented on Community Engagement 101, showcasing the importance of community engagement and highlighting Belgravia Leisure’s commitment to co-designing programs with community members, to ensure initiatives reflect their diverse needs.
In an illuminating programs panel, Kelly Parker, Jaye Hansford and Sophie Caldwell presented evidence-based insights into running community engagement programs, with case studies including impactful initiatives such as Loneliness Awareness Week at Yarra Ranges leisure venues, DVA Heart Health at Knox Leisureworks and All In! Swim at MOVE Moonee Valley.
The forum remains a powerful avenue for the aquatics, fitness and leisure sector to share knowledge and drive progress in diversity and inclusion.
- Explore CultureWise here.
- Learn more about Belgravia Leisure’s commitment to Social Inclusion.
