OFFICE OF ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER Employment and Engagement Action Plan 2014–2017 Securing Success OFFICE OF ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER EMPLOYMENT AND ENGAGEMENT ACTION PLAN 2014–2017 WESTERN SYDNEY UNIVERSITY ACKNOWLEDGES TRADITIONAL OWNERS With respect for Aboriginal cultural protocol and out of recognition that its campuses occupy their traditional lands, Western Sydney University acknowledges the Darug, Gundungurra, Tharawal (also historically referred to as D’harawal) and Wiradjuri Peoples and thanks them for their support of its work in their lands (Greater Western Sydney and beyond). ‘The Tree of Knowledge’ by artist Janice Bruny, Kamilaroi nation. This artwork is part of Western Sydney University Art Collection (refer virtualtours.westernsydeny.edu.au/ home).Artwork on cover is ‘Swimmy Creek’ by artist Chris Edwards, Gumbaynggirr nation. This artwork is part of Western Sydney University Art Collection (refer virtualtours. westernsydney.edu.au/home). As a result of consultation and consideration, the University’s declared preference is for ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander’ People/ community/communities to be used when referring collectively to Australia’s original inhabitants. This refers to both Aboriginal Peoples and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. The University appreciates your support in ensuring that the correct acknowledgment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Australia is respected and upheld. 2 OFFICE OF ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER EMPLOYMENT AND ENGAGEMENT ACTION PLAN 2014–2017 MESSAGE FROM THE VICE-CHANCELLOR WE ARE A CULTURALLY DIVERSE REGION Western Sydney University is a large, research-led, metropolitan university with campuses throughout Greater Western Sydney, one of the fastest growing and most dynamic regions in Australia. Home to over 1.8 million people, Greater Western Sydney is one of the country’s most important economic powerhouses, with an $80 billion economy that is the third largest in Australia. It is a living culture that is an intrinsic part see a greater representation of Aboriginal Managers across our administrative areas, is of the Australian identity and the Australian and Torres Strait Islander People in a whole to embrace this Action Plan, to ensure that character. We are providing our employees range of ways within our institution for us to you, firstly understand it and understand its’ with an opportunity to learn Aboriginal and truly be a ‘university of the People.’ Western objectives but work to implement it. I think Torres Strait Islander culture and history in Sydney University can only be a university when we have that breadth of involvement, their workplaces, so that in the future they of the people when we reach out to those that breadth of ownership of the plan, then will have the knowledge and skills to engage, communities. we will all have, I think, a greater chance of and work effectively, in inclusive language bridging the gap between ambition and and practices, It will also enable employees I think it’s characteristic of Australia at the reality. to work in a culturally acceptable manner, moment that our understanding of Aboriginal with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Torres Strait Islander People, of their We need to ensure that we are active when People in every business or organisational culture, of their language, and of their we seek to make appointments, that we are setting. The University set up an Advisory knowledge systems, is not as deep or as rich not in a position where the immediacy and Board because we have an Aboriginal and as it could be, so as a country I think we need the urgency of making an appointment, takes Torres Strait Islander Employment program to do more to develop that understanding us away from looking for the best possible and to be able to do that well we need and the depth of it. I think the Action Plan outcome for the organisation. We need to be to partner with the community and have is going to help the University, in a very real looking and actively seeking to support that community leaders help design and monitor way, to engage with our Aboriginal and diversity across Western Sydney University. the program. That’s what’s important to us – Torres Strait Islander communities, with our students, our staff and with the broader to make sure that the Aboriginal and Torres To help people to advance their lives, to community, and I think it will help make us Strait Islander People have opportunities for see, particularly young people having a leader in developing and deepening that education and employment. Their wisdom an opportunity they otherwise wouldn’t understanding. is what will make the program successful have to thrive, develop and mature within our organisation or as students that and that’s why this Board is the very best It’s my hope that by having more people we’re teaching, is a wonderful and unique thing we’ve done in terms of our program. of an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander opportunity for all of us. So I think there are Rhonda Hawkins Deputy Vice-Chancellor background active within all levels of the enormous personal benefits from embracing Corporate Strategy and Services Message organisation, that we will have contributed this Plan and making it part of our lives. from the Vice-Chancellor My personal vision to breaking down some of the barriers for the University’s role in the Aboriginal and and misunderstandings that exist in our Torres Strait Islander Action Plan is to see People need to feel good about what they’re community in relation to Aboriginal and Torres doing and one thing this Action Plan will do is the University partnering with the Aboriginal Strait Islander People. I think, if we can remove provide people with plenty of opportunity to and Torres Strait Islander communities of bigotry and bias and misunderstanding by make a difference. Greater Western Sydney in a much more real promoting and valuing the importance of and tangible way than it has in the past. We Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in need to better understand and appreciate Australia, we will go a long way to addressing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, a number of issues we have in this country. their knowledge systems and what that information can do to contribute more My personal call to action to all my Colleagues broadly to the multicultural community within Western Sydney University, our Deans, Professor Barney Glover that we share in this region. We need to Schools, Institutes, Divisions and Senior Vice-Chancellor and President 3 OFFICE OF ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER EMPLOYMENT AND ENGAGEMENT ACTION PLAN 2014–2017 LEARNING TO UNDERSTAND, APPRECIATE AND RESPECT We believe it is very important for all our people to have a better understanding and appreciation of the deepest and oldest culture in the world. It is a living culture that is an intrinsic part of the Australian identity and the Australian character. We are providing our employees with an opportunity to learn Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and history in their workplaces, so that in the future they will have the knowledge and skills to engage, and work effectively, in inclusive language and practices, It will also enable employees to work in a culturally acceptable manner, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People in every business or organisational setting. The University set up an Advisory Board because we have an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment program and to be able to do that well we need to partner with the community and have community leaders help design and monitor the program. That’s what’s important to us – to make sure that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People have opportunities for education and employment. Their wisdom is what will make the program successful and that’s why this Board is the very best thing we’ve done in terms of our program. Professor Lisa Jackson Pulver Pro Vice Chancellor Engagement and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership and Parramatta Campus Provost For more information about the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Engagement Advisory Board click westernsydney.edu.au/oatsiee_advisory_board 4 OFFICE OF ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER EMPLOYMENT AND ENGAGEMENT ACTION PLAN 2014–2017 AN INVITATION An Invitation from Melissa Williams, Director, Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Engagement, to all our Supervisors. You can be part of great social change and help make the Western Sydney University the ‘Employer of Choice’ in our region. The Western Sydney University Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employment and Engagement Action Plan will only be as good as its implementation and the people at the leading edge of that implementation are all those who have the authority and inclination to hire Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. We are inviting all our supervisors to embrace and participate in this wonderful program that will not only fulfil our vision and meet our legislative requirements, but will also establish the Western Sydney University as the ‘Employer of Choice’ for all people in our region. 5 OFFICE OF ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER EMPLOYMENT AND ENGAGEMENT ACTION PLAN 2014–2017 OFFICE OF ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER EMPLOYMENT AND ENGAGEMENT WHO WE ARE EMPLOYMENT which includes a majority of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, leaders and The Western Sydney University