Documente Academic
Documente Profesional
Documente Cultură
Final Report
June 2010
Forum Structure....................................................36
Goals.......................................................................................36 Regional Development Australia, Northern Inland Kim-Trieste Hastings...................................36 TAFE NSW New England Institute (TAFE).......37 Indigenous Business Australia (IBA) Michelle Rorato & Narelle Webb..............................................37 Australian Electoral Commission...........................37 NewTRAIN Clive Cooke & Kevin Smith..........38 Business Enterprise Centre (BEC) Shane Levy & Leta Ahoy........................................................................38 Jobs Australia Matthew Walsh & Ray Nyland....................................................................................38 BEST Employment Russell Stewart & Dianne Clayton..................................................................................39 NSW Department of Fair Trading Brett Cunningham......................................................................39 Danieli Studios...................................................................40 Project Team & Partner Roles.................................40
Armidale Forum....................................................12
Armidale Local Aboriginal Land Council Charles Lynch & Judith Burns..................................13 High Points from Open Discussion.......................13 White Board Notes.........................................................15
Tenterfield.................................................................17
Moombahlene Local Aboriginal Land Council Peter Harmond.........................................17 High Points from Open Discussion.......................18 White Board Notes.........................................................19
Moree.........................................................................23
Moree Local Aboriginal Land Council Karen Craigie....................................................................24 High Points from Open Discussion.......................24 White Board Notes.........................................................25 Narrabri Local Aboriginal Land Council Lynn Trindall........................................................................27 High Points from Open Discussion.......................29 White Board Notes.........................................................30 Red Chief Local Aboriginal Land Council Mitchum Neaves.............................................................32
Gunnedah...............................................................32
Appendices............................................................45
Media Coverage............................................................45 Keepit Region Aboriginal Community Employment 'Foundation Strategy'....................50
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74.5% for Aboriginal men (93.7% non Aboriginal) and 75.3% for Aboriginal women (93.9% non Aboriginal) Two Ways Together, Report on Indicators 2007, NSW Department of Aboriginal Affairs. Foundation Strategy: Keepit Region ACES (Aboriginal Community Employment Strategy), Northern Inland Regional Development Board, September 2009.
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Executive Summary
The Aboriginal Jobs & Business Road Show consisted of a series of five Forums which brought together nearly two hundred stakeholders from across the spectrum of services supporting employment and business development for Aboriginal people and the wider community. The Forums substantially achieved their intended goals of strengthening the relationships between these key stakeholders. In some locations however business and/or local government groups were not represented and further work is recommended in this regard. Valuable gains were made in improving the understanding of different needs and expectations of each stakeholder involved. This encompassed the critical area of understanding barriers, such as negative stereotypes, cultural understanding and increasing awareness of the wide range of support and services that are available to enhance employment and business development for Aboriginal people. An innovative aspect of the Road Show was the partnership with a specialist media company. Significant mainstream media coverage was achieved locally and regionally as well as national coverage in the Koori Mail. A DVD and comprehensive photographic record have also been made of the Road Show to further strengthen communications. Every Forum brought surprise about the how much employment related support and services was available. Most participants were unaware of many of the supports and services, and often one participant would suggest what was needed with another participant advising them it was already available. This outcome demonstrated the value of the Road Show partnership model in bringing together a range of services to each community.
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IBA received 10 new enquiries including preparations for an Enterprise Course for twenty plus people in Moree, to be held in early 2010;
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The respect shown for the importance and role of Local Aboriginal Land Councils was seen as both positive and useful. LALCs are the only legislatively formed bodies in NSW with responsibility for Aboriginal culture and heritage. LALCs perform key responsibilities in each community. The timing of the Road Show enabled each LALC to highlight priorities from their new Land, Community and Business Plans and in many instances generate greater support for their implementation. Actual job opportunities were also generated. While the design of the Forums was primarily to strengthen the long-term foundations for economic development the relationships and understanding between key stakeholders it was of course very satisfying to achieve more immediate employment results as well: Challenge Disability Services Narrabri announced three positions; Namoi Valley bricks of Gunnedah announced an apprenticeship opportunity; Three school based traineeships with the Cotton CRC; and, Three trainee positions in Agriculture with the Indigenous Land Corporation at Trelawney.
Throughout the Road Show the question of the true value and importance of work was explored. What was clearly evident was that real value of work was much broader and deeper than money alone (though the importance of this to health, housing, education and a good lifestyle should never be forgotten). It was clear that work plays a key role in growing self esteem, providing opportunities to make a difference to other people and strengthen the culture and pride of Aboriginal people. There is scope to use these broader benefits to better motivate and inspire the social and attitudinal changes that are required. If you want to build a ship, dont herd people together to collect wood and dont assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea. ~ Antoine de St. Exupery As the above quote stresses it can be these broader benefits from work that provide the key to creating the 'longing for the endless immensity of the sea' or work for any given individual.
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Moving forwards there are numerous recommendations and actions that were identified and agreed throughout the Road Show both local and regional. A consolidated summary of the discussions of all the Forums are included on the following pages as well as the dedicated section near the end of this Report. For the organising Partners their future focus is on engagement and working with mainstream employers and business. The preference is to undertake a second Road Show series that centres on partnering with Chambers of Commerce, Industry Bodies and Development Boards.
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Armidale Forum
Steve Widders opened the Forum with a welcome to country as a descendent of the Anaiwan people. Aboriginal Australians hold the oldest continuous culture in the world.
Steve spoke about the importance of employment and the need for partnerships, strategies and action to improve employment outcomes for Aboriginal people. Similarly Steve spoke of the need for improved understanding and stronger relationships between the three key areas of employers, employment/training services and the Aboriginal community. Approximately 45 people attended the Armidale Forum, including Aboriginal community members, business operators, government agencies, community and employment services. The gaps identified in regards to participation were schools, the Business Chamber, hospitality businesses and unemployed Aboriginal people.
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It was agreed that there would be a value in reconvening the participants from this Forum for a shorter meeting to discuss what the priority actions for Armidale are, with a particular request for the Road Show Partners to play a coordinating and facilitating role.
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Tenterfield
Helen Duroux performed welcome to country on behalf of the Gidhabal and Bundjalong People of the Kamilaroi Nation. A minute silence was observed. Approximately 35 people attended the Tenterfield Forum with most being members of the Aboriginal community both employed and unemployed. Other attendees came from community and employment related services. Gaps existed for local government and business.
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Moree
David Craigee welcomed everyone to Gamilaraay country and spoke about this being a very important occasion to look at the potential for Aboriginal employment and address a very serious issue. David encouraged participants to address barrier, identify actions that could be taken, including ways to bring agencies together. Meryl Dillon welcomed everyone on behalf of Regional Development Australia Northern Inland. The Moree Forum was attended by around 20 people, mainly being Aboriginal community members and community-related services. The gaps included local government, business and employers. Les Lang (Bluey) presented his vision for establishing Defence Cadets in Moree. Les has given three years service in the ADF and has voluntarily worked to strengthen the recognition of Aboriginal participation in defence forces as well as recruitment and training opportunities for the future. Les spoke passionately about the high quality training offered by ADF and the benefits of qualifications and self discipline.
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Narrabri
Craig Trindall gave yaama on behalf of the Gomeroi people, acknowledging Elders past and present. Craig expressed how inspiring it was to see such a large turnout, with more than forty-five people attending the Narrabri Forum and representing a really diverse range of interests. Craig spoke of the importance of involving young people in this work, remembering Elders, and the fact this was a very dynamic community with a strong culture of looking after visitors. He wished everyone success in the Forum and working together with respect.
The Narrabri Forum was the most strongly attended in the Road Show and had the most diverse representation from business and employers, education and training, Aboriginal people, community organisations and services.
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Education was seen as the key strategy to improve employment opportunities for Aboriginal people, particularly to address negative stereotypes and attitudes as well as build bridges and partnerships between key organisations. There are many Aboriginal people employed throughout the community, however most people are probably not aware that this is the case. In fact often Aboriginal people are turned away for being 'too qualified' for the jobs they apply for. An interesting dilemma that was discussed was the barrier represented by traditional recruitment and interview processes such as written applications and panel interviews which tested skills and used situations which had little or no relevance to the actual nature of the work to be undertaken. There was a desire for more practical approaches to be taken, from interviews and recruitment 'in the field' to learning and training that was 'on the job'.
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Gunnedah
Mitchum Neaves gave yaama to his country and thanked everyone for attending the Forum. Mitchum acknowledged Elders past and present. Colleen Fuller welcomed everyone on behalf of Gunnedah Shire Council and expressed her belief that much more can be achieved for Aboriginal people by working together as a community. There is a need to be supportive and let Aboriginal organisations and people lead the way. More than forty people attended the Gunnedah Forum from a solid cross section of business groups, employment services and the Aboriginal community. The Gunnedah Forum was slightly different to the previous four forums, was more forward looking to build upon the intensive work that has been undertaken over the previous two years by the Northern Inland Regional Development Board. Jason Smith from the AES spoke about their work in achieving 140 job outcomes in the last year, 65% of which are greater than 26 weeks. The AES works closely with young people. Things have changed. Sixteen years ago there were jobs in labouring that aren't there now. There is a real need to complete school. The AES brings school and work together in their School-Based Traineeship Program and have fifteen graduates this year from across the New England North West.
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In many ways the work needing to be done building partnerships, cultural understanding, education and relationships is happening. This needs to continue and be strengthened, such as the Keepit ACES and this Road Show. Like Narrabri, the style of interview and recruitment processes came up as a barrier. There is a need to better match the style of recruitment and interviews with the nature of the work. For example natural resource field workers could be best tested in the field. To truly tackle Aboriginal economic participation there is a need to grow and build more business in the Gunnedah area. This includes opportunities for Aboriginal selfemployment and Aboriginal owned and run organisations or services.
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Forum Structure
The centrepiece of each Forum was a facilitated open discussion between all attendees from the local Aboriginal community, employers and employment related services. This discussion was key to the goals of increasing understanding of Aboriginal culture and needs and of employer needs plus strengthening the relationships and networks between Aboriginal stakeholders, employers and employment. Key questions and issues explored included the importance and value of work, barriers to employment, identification of what was working well, what needed to be done differently and agreed actions for moving forwards. There was also time for informal conversations and networking before and following each Forum. Presentations were made by the LALC and each partner organisation. Details of the partner presentations regarding their services and support are detailed below.
Goals
The short-term immediate goals for this Project were: Increase the understanding of employers of Aboriginal culture and needs; Increase community understanding of employer needs and available employment related services; Strengthen relationships and networks between Aboriginal stakeholders, employers and employment related services; and, Increase interest in Aboriginal business and self-employment.
The long term goal for this work is closing the gap on Aboriginal economic participation and wellbeing, increasing the number of Aboriginal people in jobs and the quality of the jobs they have.
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Front (L - R): Adam Blakester, Shane Levy, Kim-Trieste Hastings, Janelle Speed Rear (L R): Kevin Smith, Clive Cook, Yvonne Lea, Michelle Rorato, Leta Ahoy
The organisational structure for the Aboriginal Jobs & Business Road Show was a partnership and collaboration of organisations. This structure was able to bring a range of services and networks to Aboriginal communities, demonstrating the intention of strengthening the understanding and relationships between employment related services, the Aboriginal community and local employers.
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Role
Project Coordination Service Presentation, Promote Forums Attend and Promote Forums Recruit employers, Employment Service Presentation, Promote Forums Provide venues for Forums, Employment Service Presentation Contribution towards catering costs Media, Film, Photography and Communications Process Design, Facilitation, Analysis and Reporting
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Evaluation Remarks
Very good, great opportunity for frank discussions between different groups of people. Needed more community members. Armidale Forum
Venue poor, could have been bigger, length could have been longer. Armidale Forum
More time needed, venue a bit small for the number of people in attendance. Armidale Forum
Health: Mental, physical, emotional preparedness for work, may need consideration for connecting in future. Tenterfield Forum
Sessions such as these are an effective way to bring the community together to look at common issues and brain accordingly. Well done to all. Thank you. Gunnedah Forum Narrabri Forum
It has given me greater knowledge of why employment is low and what needs to be done. Gunnedah Forum
Participation, energy of members of the group involved was very good! Enjoyed and learned lots. Narrabri Forum
Was very good. It was good that people were kept on track. Narrabri Forum
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Innovation Awards
The Regional Development Australia Northern Inland Committee have agreed in principle to create Aboriginal specific categories for the Northern Inland Innovation Awards. While the specific categories are yet to be developed they will focus on recognising innovation in employment of Aboriginal people and in Aboriginal business and organisations. This recognition aligns with the numerous suggestions throughout the Road Show for greater promotion of Aboriginal success and role models. Awards were also identified as a priority initiative in the Foundation Strategy3 (refer Appendices). Expressions of interest are sought from Aboriginal people and organisations to be involved with the development and implementation of this initiative.
3 Ibid. Northern Inland Regional Development Board, September 2009.
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Tenterfield Meeting with key stakeholders to accelerate work on the Wildlife Interpretation Centre and Culture-based Tourism (Wollooll Tours)
Moree Two-day forum on partnership building. Working party will be formed to identify key stakeholders and bring together the various key strategies and action plans Moree LALC to be the point of liaison for IBA Enterprise Workshop. It was agreed this would also be made available to Boggabilla, Toomelah and Mungindi. BEC and the AEDO agreed to also be involved
Narrabri Meeting with the Narrabri Chamber of Commerce Meeting with the Wee Waa Chamber of Commerce Commence formation of an Aboriginal InterAgency Group
Gunnedah Meeting with Gunnedah District Development Board Group form to work on celebrating the efforts of successful students Participation in Hunter New England Health 'cultural redesign' for the hospital
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Appendices
Media Coverage
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