The Opera House Reconciliation Action Plan 2014–2016 from the Ceo from reConCILIAtIon

I am pleased to present the opera house’s third reconciliation Action Plan congratulates opera house on the release of (rAP), a three-year strategic plan that provides real opportunities for its third reconciliation Action Plan (rAP). Aboriginal and Islander people. As the first performing arts centre in the country to establish a rAP, I commend this document builds on two previous one-year rAPs, which helped us identify the many staff, trustees, performers and patrons who have supported this the areas in which our efforts have the greatest effect, such as education, initiative over recent years. By recommitting to the program, Sydney opera employment and training, programming and broader cultural awareness. house is demonstrating just how good intentions can be turned into mutually As a result of that process, we can now sharpen our focus and make those beneficial actions—actions that align to core business objectives and reach the programs part of our core business. broader community. this rAP includes tangible targets and a clear path to success. It is also timely through its ongoing commitments to Indigenous programming, and in a year that marks the bicentenary of the death of Woollarawarre Bennelong, supporting Aboriginal and torres Strait Islander artists, the opera house is a member of the Wangal clan who gave Bennelong Point site its name and is providing opportunities for the wider Australian population to engage with, regarded by many as Australia’s first diplomat. and learn about, Aboriginal and torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and stories. As an international performing arts centre and one of the most recognisable symbols of Australia, the opera house has a clear leadership responsibility in the outstanding support Sydney opera house shows for the message Sticks relation to reconciliation. festival and the annual , as well as integrating Indigenous themes and content into broader activities such as the festival of Dangerous this three-year program of strategies and activities is an important step in Ideas, has seen these events continue to expand and develop. living up to that responsibility. these commitments, along with Sydney opera house’s focus on providing Aboriginal and torres Strait Islander students with pathways to career opportunities in the arts will ensure that we continue to enjoy and celebrate the contributions of Aboriginal and torres Strait Islander Australians to the cultural life of Australia. on behalf of reconciliation Australia, I wish you well as you embark on the next LouISe herron Am stage of your next rAP journey. ChIef exeCutIve offICer

LeAh ArmStrong ChIef exeCutIve offICer reConCILIAtIon AuStrALIA

Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are warned that this document may contain images of deceased persons.

The Opera House reconciliation action Plan 2014-2016 2 The Opera House reconciliation action Plan 2014-2016 3 our mission our values

The Opera house embodies cOllabOraTiOn beauty, inspiration and the We will work together with a liberating power of art and shared purpose and vision. ideas. it is a masterpiece that belongs to all australians. cOmmuniTy We will be generous of spirit Our mission is two-fold: and welcoming.

– We will treasure and renew FOcus sydney Opera house for We will not deviate from future generations of artists, our mission and learn from audiences and visitors. experience. – everything we do will engage and inspire people through creaTiviTy its excellence, ambition and We will work with imagination. breadth. We will strengthen saFeTy our central role in australia’s underlying everything we do is life and identity. our commitment to work safely.

The Opera House reconciliation action Plan 2014-2016 4 The Opera House reconciliation action Plan 2014-2016 5 our vision for reconciliation

The Opera house’s vision for reconciliation between aboriginal and Torres strait islander people and other australians is a firm commitment to embrace, engender respect for, and celebrate the culture of our First peoples, with the nation.

our BuSIneSS

the opera house is a national and – Protecting, maintaining and the opera house is also an online World heritage listed international developing the building as a portal for performances, education, performing arts centre, visitor performing arts centre. ideas and discussion, reaching precinct and meeting place. It audiences and communities – Promoting artistic taste sits on the traditional lands of the nationally and internationally and achievement. gadigal people of the eora nation, through an innovative program of on Bennelong Point. An estimated – encouraging innovation in the arts. digital experiences. 8.2m people visit our site, some 1,808 the opera house provides a variety our people have a wide variety of live performances are presented to of experiences that entertain, engage skills and knowledge, working across over 1.4m people, and over 300,000 and inspire audiences locally, performing arts, theatre technical, people take a tour of the building and nationally and internationally. We tourism and commercial, building, precinct each year. present the work of Australia’s key marketing, communications and the opera house is operated arts organisations, our resident corporate functions. the opera and maintained on behalf of the companies, produce and present house has approximately 844 staff government and people of nSW by our own programs and are a (514 fte), including 11 Aboriginal and the Sydney opera house trust and venue-for-hire for top torres Strait Islander identified staff.1 is constituted as a body corporate commercial presenters. under the Sydney opera house trust 1 As at 30 April 2013. Sydney Opera House Act 1961, which charges us with: Workforce Profile and FTE Statistics. murray Wo from torres Strait torres from Wo murray Sing Sing 2013, WANTOK: Sticks message [image]

The Opera House reconciliation action Plan 2014-2016 6 The Opera House reconciliation action Plan 2014-2016 7 [images L–r] Kiris An taran (tSI), norman ‘gozi’ Waraka Peters, Photo Prudence upton. Schools Based traineeship, Photo Susannah Wimberley. , Ilbijerry theatre Company, Photo Dan Boud. The Opera 2012 -2013 Achievements our Ho use reconciliationPlan action

2014-2016 8 The Opera – our message Sticks Aboriginal and – – reLAtIonShIPS BuILDIng

Aboriginal perspectives. skills andconfidence in teaching developnon-Aboriginal teachers Workshop to assist Aboriginal and piloted anIndigenousPerspectives In november 2012 the opera house experiencesregions. to the and torres Strait Islander arts of bringinghighquality Aboriginal feedback about the importance house staff received lots of positive performances soldout andopera April 2013 with great success. All Arts Centre inPort macquarie in travelled up to the glasshouse torres Strait Islander arts festival and advice. a valuable source of guidance and artscommunities have been the Aboriginal connectionswith the rAP Working group. rhoda’s criticalachievements toof the Programming in2012hasbeen roberts ashead of Indigenous the appointment of rhoda Ho use reconciliationPlan action

2014-2016 – AWAreneSS CuLturAL

house staff on1July 2012. followed by a free BBQ with opera invitedperformanceattend to the communityAboriginal were week. members of the local in the Playhouseacross nAIDoC Company, was alsoprogrammed the Country,by Ilbijerri theatre play royal Botanic gardens. the and Clarence Slockee from the fromtribal Phillips Shane Warrior Programming rhodaroberts, house’s head of Indigenous staff presented by the opera cultural awareness sessions for featured 2012 Week nAIDoC

Coranderrk: WeShow Will

–

based Corroborree celebrations. celebrations andduring the Sydney year, particularly for nAIDoC week further delivery throughout the tour isnow beingconsidered for message Sticks festival 2013. the rolled out to the publicaspart of on the anniversary date and was the tour deliveredwas staff to of historian, Keith vincent Smith. oral history and the assistance settlers’ accounts from thetime, tourthe piecedtogether was with associated with BennelongPoint. traditions andcustomary lore focuses onhisstory and the clan commemorating Bennelong’s life on 3January 2013. the tour of WoollarawarreBennelong the anniversary of the death the opera house site to mark We developed apilot tour of

9

DeveLoPIng ProvIDIng – In 2012 the opera house signed up to the Australian employment reSPeCt oPPortunItIeS Covenant to assist with reaching – this year the opera house – message Sticks festival 2013, our employment goal of 2% produced its Aboriginal and the opera house’s annual event Aboriginal or torres Strait Islander torres Strait Islander Protocols, celebrating the arts and culture staff. the employment Covenant providing advice on culturally of the Australia’s first Peoples, will work with us and provide respectful behaviours and guiding took place from 18-24 march support and connections to staff on the appropriate use 2013 and was attended by an assist us in increasing Aboriginal of Aboriginal and torres Strait estimated 14,610 people. the and torres Strait Islander Islander cultural material. the festival included eight Indigenous employment levels. Protocols have been distributed to shows, talks and films, as well as a – our work experience program staff and resident companies and range of free cultural events and in partnership with the are also available publicly on the an art exhibition. A highlight of the Aboriginal education unit of opera house website. festival was a remote workshop the Department of education program including a weaving and training continued with 18 workshop and nathi ceremony at participants taking part in the the royal Botanic gardens. program over the past year. – five school-based trainees the program was presented to continued their two-year the Sydney regional Principals’ - vika Bull, olivia foai, Linda Bull. Photo Prudence upton. upton. Prudence Linda Bull. Photo foai, Bull, olivia vika - traineeships in 2013, working in a conference in november 2012 and number of departments to develop is considered best practice. business skills and gain valuable insights into the workings of a WAntoK: Sing Sing Sing Sing WAntoK: performing arts centre. We have learned a lot during this first year with the traineeship program and will make adjustments to the program as a result. three of the trainees will continue with the [images] 2013, Stick message [images] traineeship until the end of 2013. our Achievements 2012 - 2013

The Opera House reconciliation action Plan 2014-2016 10 The Opera House reconciliation action Plan 2014-2016 11 in september 2012 we celebrated 10 years of The Deadly awards being presented at the Opera house. Deadly vibe is a valuable partner of the Opera house and we support The Deadly awards each year through our experienced Theatre and events team.

In September 2012 we introduced the Deadly Academy selected the a new award for an Aboriginal or winner from the list of 2012 Deadly torres Strait Islander artist to have nominees. the award was presented their album recorded in the opera live, to singer/songwriter thelma house recording Studio. With state- Plum on the Concert hall stage on of-the-art technology, the opera 25 September by the opera house’s

house recording Studio unlocks a Ceo Louise herron and head of world of potential for young artists. Indigenous Programming run by a team of grammy Award- rhoda roberts. winning professional engineers, the recipient of the Award can expect a nurturing environment to lay down the tracks for their album. the opera house Deadly Award entitled the winner to up to $10,000 worth of studio and staff time. hoto Ben Symons. Ben Symons. Finale. P hoto the 2012 Deadlys® at Dancers the Deadlys® with mauboy and Jessica Carroll Luke host [images] Case Study 1: The Opera house Deadly award

The Opera House reconciliation action Plan 2014-2016 12 The Opera House reconciliation action Plan 2014-2016 13 “Jane, Bridgette and frank were all fantastic and eager in ensuring the participants received maximum benefits from the forum. Keep them involved.” nadia emery, Workshop Participant

In november 2012 we piloted the After the performance the Sydney Creative Approaches to teaching region of nSW Public Schools, led Indigenous Perspectives workshop, to by Sydney regional Director Dr Phil

, Yirra Yaakin theatre Company, Katya Shevstov, Ian Wilkes and emma mcCoy [on Cello], Photo Jon green green Jon Photo Cello], [on mcCoy and emma Wilkes Ian Shevstov, Katya Company, theatre Yaakin Yirra , assist Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Lambert, organised a YArn uP with teachers develop skills and rhoda roberts, focussing on the confidence in teaching Aboriginal cultural engagement program with perspectives. this was the opera communities within the message the honey Spot the honey house’s first accredited teacher Sticks festival.

[image] [image] professional development program Connecting with these 75 Aboriginal with the nSW Institute of teachers. teachers as a result of the Indigenous eight teachers from nSW participated Perspectives Workshop was in the workshop after attending a significant for the opera house in performance of The Honey Spot by developing relationships. We will Yirra Yaakin theatre Company. work closely with the Department the participating teachers were of education’s Aboriginal education Case led through hands-on, practical unit to develop relationships with this exercises including reflective visual group of teachers with the aim of art exercises and audio elements. engaging them in further Study 2: feedback on the Workshop was professional development positive and as a result, 75 Aboriginal opportunities and bringing their teachers from the Sydney and students to participate in the opera Western Sydney regions then house’s education programs. creative approaches to Teaching attended the message Sticks 2013 performance of Wulmanyuwi and the indigenous perspectives Seven Pamanui by Jason De Santis.

The Opera House reconciliation action Plan 2014-2016 14 The Opera House reconciliation action Plan 2014-2016 15 We will ensure upton. Prudence by . Photo that the opera Dancestry house reflects our national identity and the diversity . Photo by Prudence upton. School Based traineeship. Photo by Susannah Wimberley. Wimberley. Susannah by Photo traineeship. School Based upton. Prudence by . Photo

of our people, Dancestry customers and

the community. 2012. Sticks r] message to [images L

The Opera House reconciliation action Plan 2014-2016 16 The Opera House reconciliation action Plan 2014-2016 17 our reconciliation Action Plan

Our reconciliation action plan (rap) maintains reLAtIonShIPS oPPortunItIeS trusting and mutually beneficial our contribution to a commitment to reconciliation australia’s relationships are the cornerstone of between Aboriginal and torres building meaningful opportunities Strait Islander peoples and other three principles of relationships, respect and within our organisation and the Australians means providing community. We aim to strengthen our opportunities that leverage our Opportunities by strengthening and expanding existing partnerships and build new strengths and focus on where we relationships through collaboration, will provide the greatest impact strategies in areas where we can make the most respect and a commitment to for individuals, communities and learning from our experiences. organisations. We will provide impact. it sets out a range of strategies centred artistic, cultural, educational and employment opportunities that on artistic programs, education, employment reSPeCt build capacity. pathways and cultural awareness. encouraging and demonstrating respect for Aboriginal and torres trACKIng ProgreSS Strait Islander peoples, heritage and culture is vital to building strong AnD rePortIng Our rap has been developed by our rap Working and respectful relationships. We will We will track our progress by ensure that the opera house reflects monitoring, reporting and evaluating Group, in conjunction with staff and executive our national identity and the the outcomes of our actions and the diversity of our people, customers impact of our strategies for both the leaders, and with the support of reconciliation and the community. opera house and the communities australia. Delivery of our rap also requires we work with. further engagement and collaboration with our partners, stakeholders and community. We are committed to working with, and learning from, our community of stakeholders to deliver on our actions and achieve real outcomes for aboriginal and Torres strait islander peoples and communities.

The Opera House reconciliation action Plan 2014-2016 18 The Opera House reconciliation action Plan 2014-2016 19 relationships

trusting and mutually beneficial Identify and develop new School network established to inform and Chief operating December relationships and networks to identify students for participation in officer 2014 relationships are the cornerstone of support Aboriginal and torres School-Based traineeship Program and Strait Islander initiatives and skills development programs. building meaningful opportunities within opportunities for collaboration. one or more new partnerships with local rAP Working June 2016 our organisation and the community. We area or industry organisations identified group and established. aim to strengthen our existing partnerships Combined Aboriginal and torres Director, June 2016 and build new relationships through Strait Islander experience packages Commercial investigated with local tourism collaboration, respect and a commitment to organisations and implemented where feasible.

learning from our experiences. opera house’s status as a Participation rAP Working July 2013 – Bronze Partner maintained under the group June 2016 Australia Council national Indigenous Chief operating Arts Infrastructure Program through officer timely reporting. ACtIon meASurABLe tArget reSPonSIBILItY tImeLIne Increase participation in Aboriginal Staff Immersion Program developed Chief operating february 2014 Continue to promote and enhance one or more rAP development or rAP Working As required and torres Strait Islander and piloted, providing voluntary staff officer – June 2016 relationships with Aboriginal and information sessions held with group July 2013 – organisations and communities to placements within Aboriginal and torres torres Strait Islander partner resident companies. June 2016 mutually develop organisational Strait Islander organisations to share skills organisations and networks. Deadly Awards 20th Anniversary in Director, theatre September knowledge, skills and experience. and knowledge and build capacity. 2014 recognised and celebrated in & events 2014 A minimum of two significant cultural rAP Working June 2014, collaboration with vibe Australia. events within community per year group 2015, 2016 promoted to staff. opera house in-house training offered to Chief operating July 2013 – executive team Bangarra Dance theatre. officer June 2016 Leadership team

minimum of one opportunity offered Programming June 2014, Build strategies to: Audience Development Strategy Programming June 2016 per year for staff to volunteer on opera Director 2015, 2016 1. Increase engagement with developed, anchored in message Sticks Director house and presenting partner events and Director theatre Aboriginal and torres Strait program and other future Aboriginal programs (e.g. message Sticks, & events Islander audiences. and torres Strait Islander programming, Deadly Awards). including potential media partnerships. 2. Increase audiences for opera Jimmy Little foundation established and Chief operating August 2013 house Aboriginal and torres promoted within opera house workplace officer Strait Islander programming. giving program.

rAP alignments with media partners Programming June 2014 Connect with Aboriginal and Digital education Program delivered to a Programming June 2014 developed to: Director torres Strait Islander communities minimum of two Aboriginal or torres Director 1. Profile message Sticks and future through digital programs. Strait Islander communities. programming. Celebrate, promote and support one or more staff events or initiatives rAP Working 27 may – 2. engage staff. participation in national celebrated during national group 3 June 2014, 3. engage advertisers/cultivate reconciliation Week with staff and reconciliation Week. 2015, 2016 corporate clients. the community. national reconciliation Week events rAP Working 27 may – Continue to collaborate with neighbour Director, Building July 2013 – and activities promoted to staff and group 3 June 2014, organisations through active participation Development & June 2016 participation supported. executive and 2015, 2016 in the Sydney harbour Aboriginal maintenance Leadership Interpretation Advisory group. teams

The Opera House reconciliation action Plan 2014-2016 20 The Opera House reconciliation action Plan 2014-2016 21 ACtIon meASurABLe tArget reSPonSIBILItY tImeLIne respect engage employees in cultural Cultural Awareness Program developed, Chief operating february 2014 learning to increase understanding encompassing a range of activities officer and appreciation of different and experiences. cultural backgrounds and lay the foundation for other rAP actions to Cultural Awareness Program available Chief operating July 2014 – encouraging and demonstrating be achieved. to all staff and participation actively officer June 2016 encouraged by Leadership teams. respect for Aboriginal and torres Strait All executive and Leadership executive team June 2016 Islander peoples, heritage and culture team participated in Cultural Leadership team Awareness Program.

is vital to building strong and respectful Develop strategies to enhance Bennelong Walk implemented as a Director, march 2014 acknowledgement of Aboriginal regular tour experience. Commercial relationships. We will ensure that the heritage and culture onsite and online. opera house heritage Interpretation Director, Building January 2014 opera house reflects our national identity Plan developed including interpretation Development & activities of the site’s Aboriginal heritage maintenance and the diversity of our people, customers and cultural significance, both past and the community. and present. Implement opportunities to weave executive team stories of tubowgulle and the gadigal through experiences onsite and online as identified in the opera house heritage Interpretation Strategy and Plan. – Priority project developed. June 2014 – Additional projects identified July 2014 – and developed. June 2016

encourage staff and partners to Aboriginal and torres Strait Islander Chief operating february 2014 use established Cultural Protocols, Cultural Protocols integrated into staff officer including Acknowledgement of Cultural Awareness Program. Country and Welcome to Country. Aboriginal and torres Strait Islander Director, July 2013 – Cultural Protocols provided to all resident theatre & events June 2016 companies and major hirers.

Acknowledgement of Country or Welcome Programming July 2013 – to Country given at all significant opera Director June 2016 house events. Director, external Affairs

Celebrate, promote and support one or more events or initiatives Programming 1st Sunday to participation in nAIDoC week with celebrated at the opera house during Director 2nd Sunday staff and the community. nAIDoC Week. rAP Working July 2013, group 2014, 2015

nAIDoC Week programming, events rAP Working 1st Sunday to and activities promoted to staff and group 2nd Sunday participation supported. executive and July 2013, Leadership 2014, 2015 teams

The Opera House reconciliation action Plan 2014-2016 22 The Opera House reconciliation action Plan 2014-2016 23 Celebrate and support the Artistic program/event, supporting Programming november development of Aboriginal and mid-career artists and engaging the Director 2014, 2015 opportunities torres Strait Islander artists and Dance community, piloted in 2014 and communities. held annually.

nAIDoC Week programming: Programming July 2013 – nItv co-production with the opera Director house for a new 13 part series titled our contribution to closing the gap In the Frame. – Songwrites projects. Specific artist between Aboriginal and torres Strait projects focussed on developing Islander peoples and other Australians skills base. Partnership established with the Programming november 2013, means providing opportunities that festival producing a number of Director 2014, 2015 leverage our strengths and focus on where tours and productions annually. opera house commission for new Programming July 2013 – we will provide the greatest impact for children’s program with the mIn mIn Director november 2014 individuals, communities and organisations. project and vibe Australia. opera house sponsored Deadly Award, Director, September 2013, We will provide artistic, cultural, provided to an Aboriginal or torres Strait theatre 2014, 2015 Islander artist. & events

educational and employment opportunities Develop and support All position advertisements include Chief operating July 2014 employment opportunities for provision to encourage Aboriginal and officer that build capacity. Aboriginal and torres Strait torres Strait Islander applicants. Islander people. Aboriginal and torres Strait Islander Chief operating July 2014 recruitment and retention Strategy officer developed and communicated to ACtIon meASurABLe tArget reSPonSIBILItY tImeLIne executive and Leadership teams.

Continue to develop Aboriginal A minimum of five Aboriginal and torres Programming march 2014, A minimum of one position in each executive team January 2015 – and torres Strait Islander artists Strait Islander shows programmed during Director 2015, 2016 executive business stream identified and June 2016 and content throughout opera message Sticks. scoped for an Aboriginal and torres house programming. Strait Islander applicant through the Aboriginal and torres Strait Islander Programming June 2014, recruitment campaign. component included in annual education Director 2015, 2016 and Young Audiences Program. Promote the benefits of supplier Procurement Policy supports increased Director, July 2013 diversity at the opera house. participation for Aboriginal and torres Commercial Aboriginal and torres Strait Islander Programming october 2013 Strait Islander businesses and suppliers focus included in the opera house 40th Director in procurement. Anniversary program. Lease Agreements for new Commercial Director, June 2015 Create opportunities to develop renewed School-Based traineeship Chief operating January 2014 – Partners encourage and support Commercial employability skills and pathways Program implemented with a minimum of officer December 2015 initiatives to meet rAP objectives. for Aboriginal and torres Strait two students participating the Program. Islander students. Initiatives identified by Commercial Director, June 2016 minimum of ten students completed the Programming June 2014, Partners to meet rAP objectives Commercial opera house Indigenous Work experience Director 2015, 2016 commenced with support of the Program per year during message Sticks opera house. or nAIDoC week. Increase stakeholder connection messaging strategy developed to engage Director, february 2014 one or more career skills development Chief operating June 2014, and support for Aboriginal and and inform stakeholders on opera house external Affairs workshops provided for Aboriginal and officer 2015, 2016 torres Strait Islander programs programs, events and strategies. torres Strait Islander students per year. and initiatives. A minimum of two proposals to Director, June 2014, 2015, Support the teaching Aboriginal Professional Development program Programming June 2014 philanthropy foundations identified and external Affairs 2016 perspectives and professional established and implemented in Director submitted per year to support Aboriginal development of teachers. partnership with the Department and torres Strait Islander programs at of education and linked to the opera house. artistic programming.

The Opera House reconciliation action Plan 2014-2016 24 The Opera House reconciliation action Plan 2014-2016 25 tracking Progress and reporting

We will track our progress by monitoring, reporting and evaluating the outcomes of our actions and the impact of our strategies for both the opera house and the communities we work with.

ACtIon meASurABLe tArget reSPonSIBILItY tImeLIne Working group continues to Quarterly rAP Working group meetings to rAP Working July 2013 – Weaving actively monitor rAP development, monitor implementation and progress. group June 2016 including implementation of actions and tracking progress. rAP working group members advocate rAP Working ongoing and work with their business areas to group reconciliation deliver on rAP actions and events.

engage trustees and executive opera house trustee invited as rAP Chief operating August 2013 leadership to inform and Champion to advise on and advocate for officer principles into champion rAP programs the opera house rAP. and initiatives. opera house trust and sub-committees Chief operating As required consulted on initiatives and programs officer July 2013 – the fabric of where appropriate. June 2016

report achievements, challenges rAP Impact measurement Questionnaire Chief operating September and learnings to stakeholders and completed and submitted to officer 2013, 2014, everything the public. reconciliation Australia annually. 2015

rAP impact report provided to trustees Chief operating April 2014, and executive annually. officer 2015, 2016 that we do. rAP progress, achievements and Chief operating october 2013, learnings reported publically in the opera officer 2014, 2015 house Annual report. Director, external Affairs

updates and outcomes reported to Director, As required supporting individuals and organisations external Affairs July 2014 – where appropriate. June 2016

The Opera House reconciliation action Plan 2014-2016 26 The Opera House reconciliation action Plan 2014-2016 27

(tSI), norman ‘gozi’ Waraka Peters, Photo Prudence upton upton Prudence Photo Peters, Waraka ‘gozi’ (tSI), norman

Kiris An taran [image] [image]

Cover ArtWorK this specific design is about connecting with each other on this, the land of the gadigal, and the importance of the Bennelong site. the arrows indicate moving forward into the future together.

The Opera hOuse recOnciliaTiOn acTiOn plan sydneyoperahouse.com