2013-2015 RECONCILIATION ACTION PL A N

Essendon Football Club’s vision for reconciliation is to commit to professional development, cultural competency and social inclusion by building on our existing relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. ESSENDON FOOTBALL CLUB: RAP 2013-2015 ESSENDON FOOTBALL CLUB: RAP 2013-2015

CONTENTS ESSENDON FOOTBALL CLUB RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN

OUR BUSINESS OUR PLAN The Essendon Football Club has a reputation The actions in our plan for the period 2013- as a leader in the Australian sports industry 2015 focus on nurturing and developing the and is one of the premier AFL clubs. We existing relationships and partnerships the club have a large and passionate supporter base, has with Wurundjeri Land Council and Elders, a long and proud history and strong ties with Northern Territory communities in Wadeye the community. and Tiwi Islands, the Rumbalara Football Club in Shepparton and The Long Walk. The club has over 90 staff (excluding players) led by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, There is also a genuine passion and and as at May 2013 employs three people of commitment to expand our programs and Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander descent in influence within our local community and the club’s administration. We also have five to represent and work with the Wurundjeri Aboriginal men on our senior playing list. people to continue strong relationships and provide lasting outcomes, especially in the Both the administration and football area of employment and health. operations are currently located at Windy Hill in Napier Street, Essendon with a move We want to ensure that through our actions, to the club’s new High Performance Centre plans and communication that the richness near Melbourne Airport planned for the and the diversity of Aboriginal cultures and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth enjoying the annual Long Walk celebrations. latter half of 2013. people is reflected and represented in a way that honours and respects the partnerships OUR VISION FOR RECONCILIATION and relationships formed along the way. REFERENCE OF WORDING 2 REFERENCE OF WORDING Essendon Football Club’s vision for OUR BUSINESS 3 In the spirit of respect, Essendon Football Club reconciliation is to commit to professional acknowledges the people and elders of the Aboriginal and OUR VISION FOR RECONCILIATION 3 Torres Strait Islander Nations, who are the Traditional development, cultural competency and Owners of the land and seas of Australia. Aboriginal and social inclusion by building on our existing OUR PLAN 3 Torres Strait Islander peoples please be advised that this publication may contain images of deceased persons. relationships with Aboriginal and Torres THE LONG WALK 5 Strait Islander people, ensuring our programs RELATIONSHIPS 6 COVER IMAGE align with those on the national agenda to RESPECT 7 Essendon Football Club players ultimately contribute to closing the gap in and staff from left; Nathan Lovett- BOMBERS’ BRIGHT FUTURES 8 Murray, , Anthony life expectancy, education and employment OPPORTUNITIES 9 Tipungwuti, Jason Walker, Kim opportunities between Aboriginal and non- Kruger, , Courtenay Aboriginal Australians. OUR RAP TEAM 11 Dempsey and Patrick Ryder. ENQUIRIES 11 Hume Aboriginal School Holiday Program.

2 ESSENDON FOOTBALL CLUB: RAP 2013-2015 ESSENDON FOOTBALL CLUB: RAP 2013-2015 3 ESSENDON FOOTBALL CLUB: RAP 2013-2015 THE LONG WALK

Since Essendon legend • The Long Walk to “THE LONG WALK Michael Long’s famous walk Dreamtime at the ‘G, IS A CHARITY THAT to Canberra in 2004, The and similar walks RAISES AWARENESS Long Walk has inspired both around the country. TO IMPROVE AND Aboriginal and Torres Strait • The Long Walk Women’s Islanders and other Australians Luncheons celebrating the SUPPORT ABORIGINAL from across the country to contribution and leadership AND TORRES STRAIT show their support, walk side of Aboriginal and Torres ISLANDER HEATH, by side and respond to the call Strait Islander women. for unity and an equal place in WELLBEING AND LIFE society. • Walk the Talk – an OPPORTUNITIES.” educational program that The Long Walk is a charity that and Nathan Lovett-Murray talk about their family and Aborginal country at Bright P-12 school. tells the story of Michael’s The Long Walk is also proud raises awareness to improve famous walk to Canberra as to take an active part in OUR PLAN (continued) and support Aboriginal a way to introduce Essendon Football Club’s and Torres Strait Islander This is Essendon’s third RAP. In 2009, we A key partnership that reflects the positive Aboriginal and Torres Reconciliation Action Plan and heath, wellbeing and life became the first sporting club in Australia, progress made is the relationship the club Strait Islander studies into continues to work alongside opportunities. It does this by including all AFL clubs, to launch a RAP and maintains with The Long Walk - a charity classrooms as well as staff from across the club to presenting large-scale popular we subsequently updated and launched a new established in 2005 after Michael Long’s walk inspiring students to make a difference with its awareness-raising events and plan in 2011. Key learnings have included a need to Canberra with the goal of achieving equality create change. Aboriginal and Torres Strait educational programs that Islander programs. for strong governance and reporting, setting between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander promote social inclusion and • The Long Walk Cultural achievable targets with specific timeframes, and non-Aboriginal people. a shared understanding of Exchange – an exchange that Donations of $2 and over owners and actions and maintaining momentum Aboriginal and Torres Strait promotes resilience in urban to The Long Walk are tax amid key staff turnover. Islander history and culture. and remote Aboriginal and deductible and contribute Torres Strait Islander to The Long Walk Cultural With the valuable support of communities based on Exchange and Walk the Talk. Essendon Football Club, which sharing cultural knowledge. For more information visit provides its administrative thelongwalk.com.au home, the charity presents:

4 ESSENDON FOOTBALL CLUB: RAP 2013-2015 ESSENDON FOOTBALL CLUB: RAP 2011-2012 5 RELATIONSHIPS RESPECT Essendon Football Club recognises the importance of fostering sustainable, respectful relationships Essendon Football Club recognises that Australia has a unique Aboriginal cultural heritage. to achieve outcomes for Aboriginal people and the club. This means welcoming Aboriginal people We want to recognise Aboriginal heritage and tradition, foster awareness of contemporary culture, and communities to club events and activities as well as going out and talking and listening to embrace cultural difference and celebrate the achievements of the Aboriginal community. Aboriginal communities and recognising their cultural knowledge. OWNER ACTION TARGET TIMELINE

OWNER ACTION TARGET TIMELINE 6. Acknowledge Traditional 6.1 Welcome to Country ceremony performed Player Owners and create a annually by Traditional Owners for all new staff Development welcoming environment for and players (align with HR quarterly induction 1.1 Internal RAP Working Group meetings Manager, all new players, employees schedule) held quarterly to review progress Respect HR Manager and those attending Annually ongoing 6.2 Welcome to Country performed by 1. Maintain RAP Working 1.2 External Working Group meeting held Qtrly ongoing Marketing, Essendon events through Group consisting of (May/Aug/Nov/ Services a Welcome to Country Traditional Owners (Wurundjeri Elder) OR RAP Chair quarterly to review progress representation across Feb) Manager or Acknowledgement of Acknowledgement of Country performed by Executive Relationships all departments and 1.3 External/Internal groups share a meal Country Essendon representative at all club events Support external Aboriginal and together every 6 months Bi-annually Torres Strait Islander 1.4 Six monthly RAP progress reports and/ ongoing (May/ representatives or presentation to board/executive at board Nov) 7.1 One survey conducted with the Aboriginal meeting and Torres Strait Islander community after Dreamtime week each year to establish the expectations of the community and input into The Long 7. Increase the club’s planning for the following year Walk General influence on Dreamtime at 7.2 Influence AFL to involve one local Aboriginal 2. Celebrate National Manager, and Torres Strait Islander performer and two Community the ‘G to deliver an event Reconciliation Week Media Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander production Manager, that involves and meets (NRW) by providing 2.1 Organise at least one internal event each Annually Respect Department personnel Annually (May) Indigenous the expectations of the opportunities for year for EFC staff that promotes NRW during National Manager, Relationships Programs Aboriginal and Torres Strait 7.3 Use the week leading up to the Dreamtime Aboriginal and Torres Reconciliation Fan Co-ordinator, 2.2 Promote NRW through club Islander community game to promote reconciliation and the Strait Islander employees Week Development Media communication channels during NRW history/story behind the event and activities and other employees to Manager Manager surrounding it build relationships 7.4 Ensure EFC Aboriginal partners/ representatives invited to attend and participate in Dreamtime events

Community 3.1 Provide the opportunity for staff to attend 3. Establish staff incentive 8. Provide opportunities for Manager, club trips to partner communities as reward, program across all recognition or development our Aboriginal and Torres Executive Annually Community Strait Islander employees Relationships departments of EFC to 8.1 Provide opportunities for Aboriginal and Human 3.2 Two staff to annually attend communities ongoing Manager to engage with their culture visit partner communities Torres Strait Islander employees to participate in Annually during Resources and share experiences with broader group Respect Indigenous and community through at Tiwi/Wadeye/Rumbalara local NAIDOC Week events. NAIDOC week Manager Programs Co- National Aborigines and ordinator Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) 4.1 Four key club events (Season Launch, Week events. Fan Family Day, Dreamtime game, Crichton Development 4. Ensure club events are Medal) to be promoted to community 9.1 All RAP committee members to attend Manager, promoted to the local Annually Relationships organisations and through Aboriginal and Human 9. Cultural awareness cultural awareness education training annually Marketing Aboriginal and Torres ongoing Torres Strait Islander media Respect Resources education for staff and as a group Annually ongoing Services Strait Islander community Manager players Manager 4.2 Invite Traditional Owners/Elders to 9.2 All new staff and players complete cultural attend key club events awareness training as part of their induction

5. Develop and maintain 10.1 Staff surveyed annually to ascertain impact 5.1 Reference group to meet annually to relationships with 10. Increase and maintain of RAP on them and their knowledge of the Annually Community discuss programs and consult with EFC RAP Group key stakeholders in Respect EFC staff awareness of and club RAP and key areas of focus Manager, representative/s (timed to align with RAP (internal) the Aboriginal and Annually engagement with our RAP 10.2 Update provided at club staff meeting May/November Relationships Indigenous updates to board meeting/exec). Group Torres Strait Islander ongoing every 6 months (align with action 1.4) Programs should include Tiwi, Wadeye, Rumbalara, communities where EFC Coordinator Hume City Council, Kangan TAFE, Wurundjeri Indigenous programs Land Council 11.1 Plaque at each facility acknowledging are active Traditional Owners of the land 11. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history 11.2 Smoking ceremony conducted at new HPC Relocation and Traditional Owners by Traditional Owners Respect Project Manager acknowledged at Windy 11.3 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander profile April 2015 Executive Hill, new High Performance and history in club hall of fame Centre and other EFC 11.4 Aboriginal artists to provide artwork for Affiliate businesses new HPC facility 11.5 Indigenous plants used at new HPC facility

6 ESSENDON FOOTBALL CLUB: RAP 2013-2015 ESSENDON FOOTBALL CLUB: RAP 2013-2015 7 OPPORTUNITIES Essendon Football Club is a large community and the opportunities to address the gap between the position of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians are broad. The club’s RAP aims to provide a range of educational, business, recreational and health opportunities for Aboriginal people at all levels of the club.

OWNER ACTION TARGET TIMELINE

12. The Long Walk Trust will 12.1 200 schools undertake TLW schools’ promote TLW programs for program “Walk the Talk” schools and youth and raise The Long Walk 12.2 Five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Opportunities awareness of Aboriginal and Annually ongoing GM people engaged to deliver Walk the Talk Torres Strait Islander affairs through annual program 12.3 Six awareness raising events nationally of events 12.4 18,000 participants in TLW events

THE ESSENDON FOOTBALL CLUB IS FACILITATING AN INDIGENOUS EMPLOYMENT 13.1 Member survey and application to include PROGRAM CALLED BOMBERS’ BRIGHT FUTURES WHICH SUPPORTS EMPLOYERS, 13. Identifying and meeting option for members to self-identify as Aboriginal needs of Aboriginal and and Torres Strait Islander and/or Torres Strait BUSINESS AND LOCAL INDUSTRY TO HELP INCREASE EMPLOYMENT OUTCOMES FOR Membership Opportunities Torres Strait Islander EFC Islander people Annually ongoing Manager ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER PEOPLE. members 13.2 Minimum one communication of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-specific content to The Bombers’ Bright Futures program aims to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members increase employment outcomes in Melbourne’s Chrissie James, program participant at Duffy 14.1 One EFC commercial or corporate partner North West region by generating opportunities Hairdressing Essendon Commercial 14. Encouraging corporate to develop a RAP for Indigenous employment by brokering with Program facilitator Partnerships partners to develop RAPs, 14.2 Five corporate partners to experience an Jason Walker. Team, sponsor and participate in EFC Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander program Opportunities April 2015 relationships between local industry, prospective Corporate Sales our Aboriginal and Torres or event employers and Indigenous jobseekers. Manager Strait Islander programs 14.3 One corporate partner to sponsor an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander activity The program supports activities that: or program • encourage and help employers to provide 15.1 A learning development plan for all sustainable employment opportunities for Player 15. Off-field development Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander players Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people Development and education for Aboriginal Opportunities Manager and Torres Strait Islander 15.2 Establish mentoring program for Aboriginal April 2015 players and Torres Strait Islander players with an • encourage and help Aboriginal and Torres Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander past player Strait Islander people to take up training and or other respected person employment opportunities, stay in jobs and improve their future employment prospects 16.1 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians encouraged to apply for all positions • help communities, industry bodies and groups which are advertised and promoted through our of employers to develop strategies that Human 16. Grow Aboriginal and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander networks Resources Torres Strait Islander 16.2 Maintain a partnership with one Aboriginal support local and regional economic growth Opportunities Manager, employment in the April 2015 The unique benefits of program participation and Torres Strait Islander employment service Relevant administration of EFC (Marrung-Pa) The Bombers’ Bright Futures program provides include: Managers support to: • Exclusive access to club functions, games 16.3 Employ a minimum of two people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent in • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander job and personnel club administration roles seekers • The opportunity to network and engage with like-minded individuals and organisations 17. Promote discounted • employers of Aboriginal and Torres Strait membership of the Windy Player Hill Fitness Centre to 17.1 Minimum of ten Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people This project marks a commitment by the Opportunities Development Annually ongoing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander memberships Manager • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Essendon Football Club to concentrate efforts Islander players and their community organisations on supporting the achievement of local outcomes families to supplement our work in remote communities.

8 ESSENDON FOOTBALL CLUB: RAP 2013-2015 ESSENDON FOOTBALL CLUB: RAP 2013-2015 9 ESSENDON FOOTBALL CLUB: RAP 2013-2015 ESSENDON FOOTBALL CLUB: RAP 2013-2015

OPPORTUNITIES (continued)

OWNER ACTION TARGET TIMELINE OUR RAPTEAM 18.1 Continue the Auskick Exchange involving Community 18. Aboriginal Auskick / Auskick centres in North-West Melbourne Annually ongoing Opportunities Manager junior footy engagement 18.2 Establish an Aboriginal Auskick centre in April 2015 North-West Melbourne (with AFL Vic) ESSENDON FOOTBALL CLUB EXTERNAL 19. Introduce a local focus Bombers’ Bright Futures Employment project RAP COMMITTEE REFERENCE GROUP to our plan - commit to a (State Government funded from March 2013) project that will support 19.1 Actively support and broker up to 40 Community Anita Fox (chair) Aunty Di Kerr Opportunities local community through Indigenous employment outcomes (positions June 2014 Manager driving employment or placements) in the North West Cameron Britt Leanne Brooke outcomes in North-West 19.2 Engage NW Indigenous employment Melbourne. reference group Hailey Grimes Linc Yow Yeh Brenton Humphreys Bev Murray 20. Supplier Diversity - Financial Support Aboriginal and Kim Kruger 20.1 Engage and employ at least one Aboriginal Controller, Torres Strait Islander artists Opportunities or Torres Strait Islander artist or business on a Annually ongoing Procurement and businesses when Mia van Rompaey club project or brief each year Manager sourcing requirements for club projects/business needs Ryan McKee Ash Brown 21.1 Facilitate welcome and introduction to local Wurundjeri community for Aboriginal and Jeremy Arnold Torres Strait Islander people who move to or visit 21. Introduce a local focus North-West Melbourne through the football club Chris Pehlivanis to our plan - ensure local or its associated businesses community and Traditional Opportunities RAP Group (all) 21.2 Ensure all programs and imagery is April 2015 Owners are represented in representative of the diversity of Aboriginal our RAP projects, imagery and Torres Strait Islander peoples and language. 21.3 Grow and strengthen links with local agencies, including Hume City Council and Kangan TAFE ENQUIRIES

REPORTING ANITA FOX OWNER ACTION TARGET TIMELINE GENERAL MANAGER - MEMBERSHIP, COMMUNITY & FAN DEVELOPMENT 22.1 Key outcomes and learning included in Email: [email protected] Annually Tracking and 22. Report achievements, annual Reconciliation Australia report RAP Group (all) (May 2014, Phone: 03 9230 0326 Reporting challenges and learning 22.2 Key outcomes and learning reported to May 2015) club staff and directors CAMERON BRITT COMMUNITY MANAGER Email: [email protected] Phone: 03 8371 0249

From left: Musicians play at Dreamtime at the ‘G Function 2012, and in Wadeye, Musical artists Tjimba Possum Burns and Jida Gulaplill recording the new Essendon Football Club player entrance song.

10 ESSENDON FOOTBALL CLUB: RAP 2013-2015 ESSENDON FOOTBALL CLUB: RAP 2013-2015 11 Dr Tom Calma AO, Co-Chair - Reconciliation Australia, Kim Kruger, General Manager - The Long Walk, Ms Melinda Cilento, Co-Chair - Reconciliation Australia and Cameron Britt, Community Manager - Essendon Football Club celebrate Essendon Football Club’s commitment to reconciliation at Parliament House, Canberra.