Two of us

Scott Hoskin is an STA bus driver and was recently appointed Aboriginal Liaison Officer. Christine Lithgow is Transport’s Acting Group General Counsel. The Aboriginal Career and Mentoring Program brought them together, but mutual trust and respect, shared interests and regular coffee catch ups, are sustaining their connection.

Scott: I was looking for ways to improve my qualifications and try and further my career. I’d done a Cert IV in Training and Assessment, and I was at a bit of a stalemate of what to do next, so I thought I’d apply for the mentor program, to get some tips on career development. I was paired up with Christine.

At the start of the program they told us, ‘Be open with your mentor.’ And so I was. My mum and uncle were part of the Stolen Generation, and my uncle went and fought in World War Two, but wasn’t recognised for his service when he came back. I told Christine about all of that and I think she was pretty interested in it. She’s a good listener. I also told her about a few Dreamtime stories that she didn’t know about, and I promised to show her a sacred site that is special to me.

At the time of the program, I was applying for the position of Aboriginal Liaison Officer with STA. She was actually going through a similar process, applying for a new job herself. She helped me with the interviewing skills, what to say and what not to say, and what to wear.

I’ve learned a lot from Christine. She’s given me lots of subtle advice for my new role, like how meetings work, minutes, general business, how to get something onto the agenda. All that stuff was a bit foreign to me, but Christine’s got a law background and she has staff under her as well, so she’s used to lots of meetings.

We talk monthly – meet at Lee Street, get a coffee and have a yarn and talk about stuff. She’s good at building confidence – she told me I sold myself a bit short on my skills, so she’s going to help me build a LinkedIn page.

With the new franchisees coming in to STA, I want to be ready. I know the bus business, I’ve got lots of experience and knowledge, and I think I’ve got something to offer. Christine’s support is giving me the confidence to put my hand up for new opportunities, when the time comes.

Christine: I’ve always had an interest in Aboriginal culture and I wanted to be engaged in the process of reconciliation in some practical way. As well, through family history research I’ve learned a lot about Aboriginal connections with my own past, so I have always felt that there was an intersection with the Aboriginal community that I wanted to explore further.

It was really lovely to meet Scott. I felt like we were well matched and we hit it off from the start. At the first session he was very open and shared a lot of things about his life and family that I felt really privileged to hear. He talked about the Stolen Generation and its impacts, all in relation to his own family’s experience.

Scott and I have so many different experiences of life – some influenced by culture, others just by our different circumstances. He’s very knowledgeable about so many things – everything from the inner workings of Parliament House (where he used to work) to stories of the Dreamtime, and different sacred sites around Sydney. It’s been fascinating to hear and learn from him. It’s definitely inspired me to do some more research about the Aboriginal cultural origins of my own local area.

Scott was in the process of applying for his role as Aboriginal Liaison Officer, and I really don’t think I helped him at all. He’s made it entirely on his own merits, wisdom, willingness to contribute and sense of fun and drive. I’m chuffed he thinks I did help! We definitely talked about how not to feel awkward with people in authority (something we both share!). But he’s a natural. Now that he’s in the role, Scott attends monthly meetings with other Transport people, including our Secretary, Rodd Staples.

Since the formal program ended, we’ve continued to talk and meet regularly, and there are a few issues that we’re working through. I think the experience has helped Scott to demonstrate his ambition to the management of STA, and been a step for him on that pathway. But I honestly feel like I get as much out our connection as Scott does, and possibly more.

I also think the mentoring program itself is fantastic. The cultural awareness sessions were very useful, and I learned a lot from other mentors as well. It was just great to be part of something so special.

The next Aboriginal Career Development and Mentoring program is planned for later in 2020. To register your interest or to find out more, contact Mark Champley at mark.champley@transport.nsw.gov.au

Scott Hoskin and Christine Lithgow