CultureWISE: A Sector-Wide Step Toward Cultural Awareness and Inclusion
Belgravia Leisure, in partnership with Belgravia Foundation, is proud to be developing CultureWISE a free and self-paced digital learning program designed to strengthen Indigenous cultural awareness, safety, respect and capability across the leisure, aquatics, recreation, and fitness industry.
Access to meaningful Indigenous cultural awareness training in the leisure and aquatics sector has been limited, leaving many staff without the tools to create culturally safe environments. CultureWISE responds to this need by offering a practical and accessible program that fosters respect, understanding, and confidence across the industry.
CultureWISE is a key action of Belgravia Leisure’s Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and is aligned with its broader Social Inclusion Policy. Developed through extensive consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations, the program reflects a strong commitment to creating culturally safe and inclusive environments across all Belgravia-operated facilities and beyond.
With more than 8,000 Belgravia Leisure staff working nationally, many in casual or part-time roles, the online format ensures flexibility and accessibility. Thanks to the significant financial contribution of Belgravia Foundation, the training will be made available free of charge to the entire industry - removing cost as a barrier and reinforcing Belgravia Foundation’s mission to promote equity and participation in community wellbeing.
“CultureWISE represents a meaningful step forward for our sector. It’s about creating environments where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples feel safe, respected, and celebrated, while equipping our workforce with the knowledge and confidence to engage in a culturally inclusive way.” - Tayla Pallas, Belgravia Foundation Aquatics & Inclusion Coordinator
The program will be previewed at the 2025 NSW/ACT Diversity and Inclusion in Leisure Forum on Wednesday 19 November at Aerial, UTS Sydney, with a full launch planned for early 2026. This marks an important step in sector-wide collaboration to embed cultural competence and awareness into everyday practice.
Special thanks to our collaborators at Belgravia Leisure and Path Hunting for their valued contributions to this important project.
To learn more about Belgravia Leisure’s Social Inclusion Strategy, visit: belgravialeisure.com.au/social-inclusion
To learn more about Belgravia Leisure’s Innovate RAP, click here.
