CAFS both celebrated and promoted its Rainbow Tick and approved reconciliation action plan with all staff in a Christmas lunch on Thursday.

Ms Sturgess said when it came to CAFS clients, this was a lot more than a piece of paper the organisation had achieved.

"These symbols mean a lot for people who identify as LGBTI or Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. We can say we're inclusive but for most of these people, the symbols signify safety," Ms Sturgess said.

"Our clients have told us it's important to them."

Ms Sturgess said celebrating the official endorsements was important in reflecting and encouraging diversity both in its workforce and as a leader in the community, driving social change.

"This affects our decision making, collecting data and how we deal with people," Ms Sturgess said. "We want people to know we get it, we understand how it's like. You can only do that with authenticity."

Official endorsements have taken a couple of years' work for CAFS' inclusion and diversity team to achieve.

Rainbow Tick, developed by Rainbow Health Victoria, aims to create lasting LGBTI inclusion. Similarly for its action plan approved by Reconciliation Australia when it comes clients and staff who identify as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Organisations are independently assessed to ensure all staff are equipped to meet difference needs of service users regardless of gender, cultural background, age and sexual orientation and identity.

Ms Sturgess said it was particularly important for staff to recognise and understand the impact of colonisation has on all generations of Australia's indigenous people, including their health.

"In particular, how organisational policies and practices were part of the irreparable breaking up of families through Stolen Generations, especially in Ballarat and surrounding areas where a number of Aboriginal children were placed in children's homes," Ms Sturgess said.

" CAFS is committed to reconciliation and will seek to undertake activities that progress this aim."

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