Aboriginal Cultural Education Hub

Build meaningful and respectful relationships with your Aboriginal colleagues, and learn more about our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and the role you play to support our 15 RAP commitments.

The Aboriginal Cultural Education Hub provides information, support and guidance on:

  • Aboriginal cultural awareness, initiatives and events
  • Progress updates on our RAP commitments and the role you play
  • Making Aboriginal people feel welcome and valued at Transport for NSW
  • Protocols for community consultation and meaningful engagement in programs and initiatives.

As custodians of Aboriginal culture, Aboriginal people alone possess the knowledge, skills and experiences to give authenticity to Aboriginal programs and initiatives. Building genuine partnerships and consulting Aboriginal people and communities is imperative to leveraging this expertise.

Build meaningful and respectful relationships with your Aboriginal colleagues, and learn more about our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) and the role you play to support our 15 RAP commitments.

The Aboriginal Cultural Education Hub provides information, support and guidance on:

  • Aboriginal cultural awareness, initiatives and events
  • Progress updates on our RAP commitments and the role you play
  • Making Aboriginal people feel welcome and valued at Transport for NSW
  • Protocols for community consultation and meaningful engagement in programs and initiatives.

As custodians of Aboriginal culture, Aboriginal people alone possess the knowledge, skills and experiences to give authenticity to Aboriginal programs and initiatives. Building genuine partnerships and consulting Aboriginal people and communities is imperative to leveraging this expertise.

  • How our mentoring program is building close and respectful relationships

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    During National Reconciliation Week 2020, we’ll be profiling some of the great projects across Transport that are working in partnership with Aboriginal communities.

    In 2016, Principal Opal Trainer Mark Champley was a mentee in Transport’s inaugural Aboriginal Career Development and Mentoring Program. Four years on, and around 70 graduates later, he’s an Associate for Diversity and Inclusion, helping to develop Transport’s fifth program.

    Mark explains that as well as supporting the growth and careers of Aboriginal people at Transport, the program is creating unique opportunities for mentors to develop greater cultural understanding of Aboriginal culture, protocols and beliefs.

    How did the mentoring program start?

    The idea was to bring aspiring Aboriginal leaders from across the cluster together with senior leaders, to help them to develop their careers through a structured mentoring program. We had 16 people in the first workshop, where the mentors and mentees met each other, and then met regularly over three months, to set goals, and identify and work on strengths and weaknesses. The model has been refined since then and we’ve now run four programs.

    Who can be a mentee, or mentor?

    We’ve had project officers, train drivers, station staff, a bus driver – mentees come from right across Transport. And a mentor can really be anyone who has a genuine interest in sharing their own career journey and supporting a colleague. How has the program changed over time? One of the early changes that we introduced was the idea of a commitment contract (which came from a colleague, Jacqueline Linke) – so that mentor and mentee could meet one-on-one first, decide if they could work together, and then commit to a partnership for the program. That’s proved to be very effective in developing shared expectations and building strong relationships.

    What’s been the biggest benefit of the program?

    One of the biggest benefits that we didn’t originally plan for, has been what I’d call reverse mentoring – the way that Aboriginal people have been able to share their culture, stories and ideas with their non-Aboriginal colleagues. The program offers multiple opportunities to extend cultural experience through storytelling, visiting community, attending screenings of aboriginal films, and attending Aboriginal events.

    For instance, I took my own mentor to an Aboriginal community meeting, which was a completely new experience for him. He’s left the business now, but we stay in touch, and he’ll sometimes ask my advice about issues that relate to Aboriginal people. For the fourth program, a number of the mentors went along to a boot camp run by a local Aboriginal charity group called Tribal Warrior, and ended up taking part in a yarning circle. So the influence definitely flows both ways and the shared experience helps both sides build close and respectful relationships.

    How would you describe the program’s results?

    Of the close to 70 people who have been mentees in the program, a third of them are now in more senior roles. There’s also lots of anecdotal evidence to tell us that it’s a positive influence. For instance, for one program, mentors and mentees went to a breakfast hosted by Elizabeth Mildwater (Deputy Secretary Greater Sydney). Apparently her message about courage and following your heart inspired one mentee to go back to her manager and accept a role that she’d previously declined, because she didn’t think she could do it.

    What’s next for the program?

    We’re planning another program later this year and hoping to have some of our earlier mentees back to act as mentors. It’s a fantastic program so I’d really encourage people to get involved.

    The next cohort of the Aboriginal Career Development and Mentoring Program is planned for later in 2020. To express your interest or to find out more, please contact mark.champley@transport.nsw.gov.au

    Tribal Warrior bootcamp session, with Transport mentors and mentees

    Back Row L to R – Mentor Olga Krikelis (Sydney Metro), Mentee Natalie Carr Mundine (Sydney trains), Mentor Sudath Amaratunga (TfNSW), Mentor Christine Lithgow (TfNSW), Mentor Jacqueline Linke (TfNSW), Mentor Glenn Johnston (Group Rail), Mark Champley (TfNSW) Front Row L to R Mentee Thomas Kelly (Sydney Trains now Sydney Metro) Mentee Jinaya Walford (TfNSW)

    Tribal Warrior bootcamp session held at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence Redfern, with Transport mentors and mentees



  • National Reconciliation Week – get involved

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    Today marks National Reconciliation Week which runs each year from 27 May to 3 June.

    National Reconciliation Week is an important part of our ongoing process of reconciliation, to strengthen the respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and non-Indigenous peoples, for the benefit of all Australians.

    This year marks twenty years of shaping Australia’s journey towards a more just, equitable and reconciled nation, and the theme for National Reconciliation Week 2020 is ‘In this together’.

    Get involved

    We all have a responsibility to make reconciliation a reality. Be part of National Reconciliation Week and participate.

    The key event and activity to get involved in this National Reconciliation Week are:

    There are a number of activities happening across our divisions and agencies; these include:

    Wednesday 27 May

    • Flag raising ceremony at Brookvale and Port Botany STA depots
    • Stuart Mills talks about National Reconciliation Week
    • Sydney Region D&I Committee show of hands
    • Southern Region D&I Committee Art Challenge - register here
    • Watch Sydney Trains video featuring Uncle Widdy, as he shares his story about being a Stolen Generation survivor
    • Sydney Region Committee developed a National Reconciliation Week confluence site, focussed around the five dimensions of reconciliation

    Thursday 28 May

    • ROM Leaders Livestream (top 100 leaders): Acknowledgement of Reconciliation week and RAP update
    • NRW Webisodes streaming at selected locations or online
    • Participate in Sydney Train’s 5 step challenge

    Friday 29 May

    • Western D&I committee: hosting an MS Teams reconciliation event - register here.
    • Watch the webisode in STA tearooms

    Monday 1 June

    • Corporate Services all live National Reconciliation Week event
    • Watch the webisode in STA tearooms

    Tuesday 2 June

    • South West D&I committee: Aboriginal guest speaker via MS teams and take an online survey - register here
    • Watch the webisode in STA tearooms

    In addition, you can find a range of information and resources on each agency intranet.

    Reconciliation Australia activities

    During National Reconciliation Week we encourage you to keep learning, so head over to the Reconciliation Australia website and where possible participate in some reconciliation activities available like:

  • National Sorry Day

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    Each year on 26 May, Australians acknowledge and recognise members of the Stolen Generations, as part of National Sorry Day.

    This is an annual event to remember, and reflect on, the forced removal of large numbers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians, often called the ‘Stolen Generations’.

    It was on this day in 1997 that the Bringing Them Home report was tabled in Federal Parliament, two years after a national inquiry into the forced removal of Indigenous children was ordered.

    The Bringing them Home is the final report of the National Inquiry into the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children from their families and was conducted by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission.

    This day is now commemorated as a time to remember, acknowledge and pay tribute to the members of the Stolen Generations. This significant day marks the first time that stories of being stolen were heard in a formal manner.

    Stolen Generation experience

    Watch Sydney Trains National Sorry Day video featuring Uncle Widdy, as he shares his story about being a Stolen Generations survivor.

    Message from our Secretary

    In his video message, Rodd Staples acknowledges the significance of Sorry Day, the importance of building relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and non-Indigenous Australians and our commitment to reconciliation.

    Hear his message.


  • Reconciliation Action Plan update

    Following the launch of our Transport Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) last year, the RAP Project team have been working to create the frameworks and tools to support the implementation of our RAP across Transport.

    It's full steam ahead, as we start to design the strategies to support the delivery of the 15 commitments outlined in our RAP.

    The next phase of our RAP journey

    RAP Executive Sponsors and RAP Implementation Leads have now been identified. They are responsible for the support and implementation of the RAP commitments within their Division and Agency, and include:

    Division

    Executive Sponsor

    Divisional Implementation Lead

    Greater Sydney

    Rachael Wheeler

    Howard Collins

    Glenn Johnston

    Regional and Outer Metropolitan

    Tom Grosskopf

    Giulia Joliffe

    Customer Strategy and Technology

    Jason Gordon

    Suzy Grierson

    Infrastructure and Place

    Pete Church

    Belinda Padovan – Court

    Corporate Services

    Matt Fuller

    Albert Bass

    People and Culture

    Tracey Taylor

    Troy Griffith

    Safety Environment and Regulation

    Bernard Carlon

    Amanda Talbott

    Prena Kapoor

    Office of the Secretary

    Jonathon Deans

    Michelle Hill

    Point to Point Transport Commission

    David Tooze

    Tathia Shield - Wells


    The role of RAP representatives

    RAP Executive Sponsors champion our RAP and ensure our commitments are on track, while the RAP Implementation Leads are responsible for the tactical implementation of RAP deliverables.

    Throughout May and July, our RAP Project team will host five co-design workshops with RAP Implementation Leads to establish cluster guiding documents which include:

    • Employment, Engagement and Development Strategy
    • Communications Strategy
    • Cultural Learning Strategy
    • Procurement Strategy
    • Cultural Heritage Consultation Framework
    • Aboriginal Arts Strategy


    These strategies and framework will bring consistency to how we action our commitments across Transport.

    Get involved

    The Implementation Leads will seek feedback and input to establish these strategies and framework - keep an eye out for communications from your Lead.



  • Our reconciliation achievements

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    The bushfires, floods and COVID-19 put a pause on the delivery of our Transport Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) frameworks and strategies. That doesn’t mean we haven’t made some great headway across Transport.

    Here’s what we’ve achieved:

    Buses to Bourke
    The Buses to Bourke program repurposes retired State Transit buses to help people get to work in regional NSW. So far, 150 people have obtained employment through this program.

    Woolgoolga to Ballina Songlines
    The Woolgoolga to Ballina is Australia’s largest regional infrastructure project and follows a number of traditional Songlines - the trade routes and ceremonial paths of Gumbaynggirr, Yaegl and Bundjalung Nations.

    The Art Trail is a vision that tells the stories of the Songlines and creation stories by local Aboriginal artists. The artworks will be planned for 13 locations, including rest areas and bridge safety screens between Woolgoolga and Ballina.

    We’re now working with the local Aboriginal artists to tell their stories.

    Bark Canoe Project
    A creative way of engaging Aboriginal people in conversations about boating safety, through a collaborative effort to construct traditional bark canoes at Rozelle, Ballina and Wollongong.

    This innovative project was delivered by our Aboriginal Engagement Team, Maritime and Corporate Communications.

    Increasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment
    Over the last three years, we’ve increased Aboriginal representation by 22% across the Transport cluster. We’ve done this by consulting with Aboriginal Employment Agencies, to target and identify recruitment opportunities.

    We’re also supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students with career pathways, through our NSW HSC Scholarship Program. Our scholarship program builds relationships with students in years 11 and 12, provides access to financial assistance, and practical work experience that aligns to their career aspirations.

    Since 2015, our 24-month Aboriginal VET Cadet program has supported 56 participants to complete both on the job development and a formal qualification. This program is designed to provide participants with the right capabilities and experiences to have a successful career in the Transport Cluster. At the moment, we’re in the process of recruiting an additional 10 Cadets for 2020.

    Acknowledgement of Stolen Generations
    Later this year, memorial plaques will be installed at train stations identified by the Stolen Generations Organisations (SGOs) as sites of importance to them including Cootamundra, Bomaderry, Parramatta, Wagga Wagga, Mittagong, Yass and Berry.

    There are also plans to tell the SGOs’ stories in the waiting room refurbishment on Platform 1, and a statue will be commissioned and erected at Central station.

    Next steps on our RAP journey
    We’re now transitioning into the Transport-wide implementation phase of our RAP. This phase will establish the RAP frameworks and strategies to ensure all areas across Transport have a united approach to delivering our commitments.

    Further details and updates about our RAP journey will be shared via the news section on the Aboriginal Cultural Education Hub.

  • Our Songlines are calling

    We commissioned Yaegal woman Frances Belle Parker to create an artwork for our Reconciliation Action Plan. It shows the importance of traditional Songlines to Aboriginal people and their connection to our modern transport routes.

    In this video Frances shares the story behind her painting and what it represents.

  • Six actions you can take to be more inclusive

    At Transport, we want to build respect and understanding of Aboriginal culture and creating an inclusive environment. Learn about six actions you can take today, to be more inclusive of Aboriginal people.

  • NAIDOC Winners Breakfast with Preston Campbell

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    On Wednesday 10th, Transport for NSW celebrated NAIDOC week by hosting a NAIDOC Trivia event at the Ariel UTS function centre. Today, our winners had an amazing opportunity to have breakfast with Preston Campbell and get to know him on a personal level at the National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern.

    It was an invaluable experience where Preston took everyone on a journey as he told the story of his life, childhood, family and of course his amazing football career. He kicked off with an acknowledgement to country and emphasised the importance of Respect, Responsibility and Reciprocity being universal and valuable principles.

    Preston expressed his appreciation of his hometown Tingha, and the disadvantages he and the wider community faced and continue to do so constantly urging him to want to give back to his community and mob. Today he leads ’The Preston Campbell Foundation’ where he shares his vision of developing programs and opportunities, which inspire and mentor participants to achieve their aspirations and dreams.

    Preston spoke on a highly personal level to the audience giving them insight to some of the highs and some of the lowest of lows he had experienced, he emphasised the importance of wellbeing and reminded us that we are not alone and to always put your hand up for help.

    In all, it was definitely a rewarding experience for all who attended.

    Click here to view the original article.

  • What does Reconciliation mean to you?

    National Reconciliation Week is a time for all Australians to learn about our shared histories, cultures, and achievements, and to explore how each of us can contribute to achieving Reconciliation in Australia.

    The dates are the same each year; 27 May to 3 June. These dates mark two significant milestones in the reconciliation journey—the successful 1967 referendum, which gave the Australian Government the power to make laws for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and to include them in the Census; and the High Court Mabo decision, which saw the concept of terra nullius overturned.

    We spoke to some of our people across the Transport cluster to learn what Reconciliation means to them.



    Find out more about how you can get involved and show your support for Reconciliation with our National Reconciliation Week toolkit.

    Join one of our events in Sydney or in one of our regional offices.

    view original article here.


Page last updated: 25 Mar 2022, 11:41 AM