CultureWise program launches: free, self-paced cultural awareness training - an industry first for leisure, recreation and sports sector

Belgravia Foundation is proud to celebrate the launch of CultureWise, an innovative, first-ever, free and self-paced online cultural awareness training program for the leisure sector now available through the Belgravia Foundation website. 

Introduced to more than 200 professionals at the Victorian Diversity and Inclusion in Leisure Forum on March 5th, 2026, at Zinc, Federation Square, CultureWise reflects a shared commitment to strengthening cultural safety and inclusion for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples across the leisure, aquatics, recreation, tourism and fitness sector. 

Developed through collaboration, consultation and reflecting the lived experience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, employees, organisations, Elders and cultural advisors, CultureWise provides a 30-minute digital learning experience designed to build confidence, understanding and respectful practice within the leisure sector. The program supports individuals and teams to create culturally welcoming spaces, deeply aligning with Belgravia Foundation’s mission to increase equity and participation for all. 

Thanks to the leading and significant contribution from Belgravia Leisure, CultureWise is offered entirely free of charge, ensuring cultural learning remains accessible, barrier free and inclusive for the whole sector. This investment enacts Belgravia Leisure’s commitment to its Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and its broader dedication to culturally safe, community centred practice. 

Belgravia Foundation Aquatics & Inclusion Coordinator, Tayla Pallas, shared: 

“CultureWise represents a significant step forward for the aquatics, leisure, fitness, tourism and recreation sector. By equipping workers 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 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 not only Belgravia Leisure operated venues, but beyond and across the entire sector in Australia.” 

CultureWise enhances the cultural capability of programs such as the Swim and Survive youth aquatics program at SWELL Palmerston, supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in the Northern Territory to build essential water safety and swimming skills in inclusive and culturally respectful environments. 

Belgravia Foundation extends its sincere appreciation to the team members, partners, Elders and cultural advisors whose guidance and lived experience shaped CultureWise through thoughtful consultation and collaboration.

  • Reconciliation Australia

  • PathHunting Learning Consultancy

  • Contributing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Belgravia Leisure employees

  • Wurundjeri Elders – 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

CultureWise is now live and freely accessible to anyone in the leisure, aquatics, recreation, tourism and fitness sector and to all community members who want to strengthen their cultural awareness and understanding. 

👉 Start the free, self-paced CultureWise training here.

Georgia Hall