Annual Review 2013-14 Our vision is for everyone to wake to a reconciled, just and equitable Australia. Our aim is to inspire and enable all Australians to contribute to reconciliation and break down stereotypes and discrimination. We inspire and enable all Australians to contribute to reconciliation through various initiatives and programs in schools, communities and workplaces. Contents Co-Chairs’ message 3 CEO report 4 Reconciliation Action Plans 6 National Reconciliation Week 2014 8 Recognise: Constitutional Recognition 11 Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in Schools 12 Indigenous Governance Awards 14 Workplace Ready Program 16 Garma Festival 2013 18 Reconciliation Industry Networking Groups 20 Financial summary 22 Our supporters 24 Attendees of The Long Walk Wellbeing Concert during National Reconciliation Week 2014. Image by Melinda Ogden. 1 Melinda Cilento and Tom Calma AO at the Reconciliation: Leading Together dinner at Old Parliament House. Image by Joseph Mayers. 2 Co-Chairs’ message The past 12 months has been a Any change of government is usually Should that happen, the Australian We also acknowledge the work of Chief particularly productive time for followed by a period of uncertainty as economy (GDP) would be more than 1.15 Executive Leah Armstrong who has promises are met and policies change. per cent larger in real terms by 2031—a decided to step down after four years at Reconciliation Australia. As you However, Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s gain of about $24 billion in 2012/13 the helm. Leah has been instrumental in will read in this annual review, early decision to merge Indigenous Affairs dollar terms. It also found that the larger reinvigorating Reconciliation Australia and our partnerships and programs into his own department is indicative of tax base would increase Government in resetting the organisation’s strategic are making a real difference to his personal pledge to achieve positive revenues across the country by $7.2 focus. She has brought considerable skills the lives of Aboriginal and Torres outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait billion and that the resultant increased to the role in building and maintaining Islander peoples, and we welcome that. affluence amongst Indigenous workers strong respectful relationships and Strait Islander peoples across the would cause a $4.7 billion reduction in extending the organisation’s networks length and breadth of Australia. In January this year the Prime Minister necessary expenditure. across many different sectors. The support for Constitutional attended our Reconciliation: Leading Together dinner sponsored by Rio Tinto in By closing the education gap, the DAER We sincerely thank Leah for her Recognition is gaining strong Kings Hall at Old Parliament House where estimates that an additional 26,000 jobs inspirational leadership characterised momentum, Reconciliation Action guests included the leaders of many would be created. Raising Aboriginal and by her quiet determination to transition Plans are flourishing, National major Australian corporations and other Islander health outcomes would lead to a Reconciliation Australia from a good to a Reconciliation Week activities passionate reconciliation supporters. In further 13,000 new jobs. These potential great organisation. his speech, the Prime Minister spoke gains illustrate the economic benefits that have grown exponentially, we had of his commitment to the recognition would flow directly from improvements to Finally, we acknowledge those many record entries in the Indigenous of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Indigenous life-expectancy, employment thousands of individuals, communities, Governance Awards and our peoples in the Constitution saying, “If we and productivity. Not to mention the corporates, organisations and Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in could achieve this I would regard it as a accompanying personal benefits to every governments who share our reconciliation journey. We are all in this together, Schools program is about to be crowning achievement, but I have to say new Indigenous employee. to you nothing worthwhile is easy and this and together we can continue to build launched. is extremely worthwhile.” While the Board remains unchanged enduring respect and relationships to over the past 12 months, it should be close the gaps and improve the life We have also actively engaged in the We share the sentiment and feel noted that our longest serving Director, chances and experiences for Aboriginal national debate on a number of significant confident that the newly elected Coalition Fred Chaney AO, has indicated that he and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It’s not reconciliation issues. We made several Government will maintain the Australian will relinquish his role at the end of this only a noble cause, it’s achievable and it’s representations against the proposed Parliament’s bipartisan support both year. Fred’s directorship dates back a national necessity. changes to the Racial Discrimination Act; for constitutional recognition and for to 2000 when Reconciliation Australia we consistently prosecuted the case in reconciliation generally. was established. In January 2014, favour of recognising the First Australians Fred’s long and dedicated advocacy in the Constitution; we spoke out against Earlier this year, we reported on the for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Dr Tom Calma AO Ms Melinda Cilento various Budget cuts to Indigenous findings of the Deloitte Access Economics peoples saw him named Senior Australian programs including the mooted Report (DAER) commissioned by of the Year, a fitting reward for a great withdrawal of $165 million from Aboriginal Reconciliation Australia which indicated reconciliation crusader. We thank Fred for health services and we reiterated our plea that the national economy would benefit his exceptional service to Reconciliation for political decision-making to be guided greatly if Aboriginal and Torres Strait Australia and wish him well for whatever by evidence. Islander employment levels reached those comes next. of other Australians. 3 CEO report I am pleased to reflect on the National Reconciliation Week (NRW) was Over the past year we have been The pathway to recognition and past year which has been highly certainly a triumph this year. The numbers shaping our new schools program in reconciliation now actively engages more exceeded even our own optimistic partnership with BHP Billiton, in line with Australians than ever before and I am productive for Reconciliation predictions with 1,097 events held around the Australian Curriculum. Designed proud to have been a part of our key Australia. We have posted some Australia, compared to the record 724 to support the more than 21,000 early achievements over the past few years. significant runs on the board, events in 2013. Media coverage stretched childhood, primary and secondary runs that will deliver better from Bundaberg to Broome, Darwin to schools in Australia, the program will We are now more dynamic and our programs have all increased their reach outcomes for Aboriginal and Devonport with press, radio and television assist schools in developing environments coverage throughout the week. Social that foster a higher level of knowledge and impact. Torres Strait Islander peoples, media posts spiked markedly too and our and pride in Aboriginal and Torres It has been a real privilege to lead most notably through our website received 43,619 visits—another Strait Islander histories, cultures and Reconciliation Australia. I sincerely thank record! contributions. dynamic Reconciliation Action the Co-Chairs and the Board for their Plan (RAP) program and valuable During NRW we also conducted Sing Called Narragunnawali: Reconciliation in constant support, and the dedicated staff partnerships. Loud!, a reconciliation song competition Schools, the program’s name comes from who make things happen. They say that judged by Delta Goodrem and Geoffrey the language of the Ngunnawal people once you work here you never really leave RAPs now provide a blueprint of Gurrumul Yunupingu, Body Language and means peace, alive, wellbeing and and so I expect I will remain connected reconciliation actions and targets for dance events and a fishing promotion— coming together. until the day dawns when we achieve our more than 500 organisations around the Catch, Cook ‘n’ Yarn, all in partnership vision—to wake to a reconciled, just and country with a further 400 waiting in the with Woodside. These first time At every opportunity over the past year equitable Australia. wings in various stages of development. community engagement activities were we have campaigned for recognition of Our new RAP frameworks—Reflect, very well received and bode well for the First Australians in the Constitution Innovate, Stretch and Elevate are including more new events next year. and for the removal of those clauses encouraging organisations to aim which are racist and do not reflect Ms Leah Armstrong even higher when reviewing their RAP Once again we had a tremendous Australian reality in the 21st century. expectations. response for the Indigenous Governance Raising awareness takes time but we are Awards, with entries from 113 enthused that recent polling shows that For many organisations, having a RAP organisations (up from the record 107 more than 50 per cent of Australians are has now become an integral part of in 2012). After shortlisting, the judges now aware of the proposal. corporate culture and has really opened will choose eight finalists