Ironbark Aboriginal Corporation recently welcomed renowned psychologist and Indigenous mental health expert Dr Tracy Westerman to Darwin to deliver her intensive two-day workshop, Beyond Cultural Competency to Behaviour Change.
The training brought together Ironbark staff from across the organisation as part of Ironbark’s ongoing commitment to strengthening culturally safe, inclusive and effective workplaces and service delivery.
Dr Westerman is recognised nationally for her work in Indigenous psychology, suicide prevention, cultural competency and workplace reform. Throughout the workshop, staff were challenged to reflect deeply on leadership, communication, unconscious bias, behavioural change and culturally responsive practice.
The sessions combined evidence-based research, professional expertise and lived cultural knowledge in a practical and engaging way, creating strong discussion and reflection across teams.
Ironbark Corporate Services Manager Nikki Allison said they chose to bring Dr Westerman to Darwin to continue building capability across the workforce.
“The training provided an opportunity for staff to deepen their understanding of cultural competence, behavioural change, trauma-informed practice and culturally responsive leadership in a practical and meaningful way,” she said.
“Staff gained practical strategies to support culturally safe engagement, supervision, retention and leadership approaches within the workplace.”
The workshop encouraged participants to examine both personal and organisational practice, while strengthening understanding of how culture, communication, leadership and workplace systems impact Aboriginal employees and communities.
A standout aspect of the training was Dr Westerman’s ability to deliver complex and challenging concepts in a relatable and practical way that resonated strongly with participants.
One Ironbark staff member reflected that attending Dr Westerman’s workshops had transformed the way they worked with their team, resulting in significant improvements in interpersonal relationships and workplace culture.
The workshop reinforced that cultural competence is an ongoing journey rather than a one-off training session, highlighting the importance of continued learning, reflection and organisational commitment in creating culturally safe environments.
To learn more about Dr Tracy Westerman and her work, visit Indigenous Psychological Services
Photo: Ironbark staff with Dr Tracy Westerman
