Redland City Council’s commitment to creating positive and lasting relationships with First Nations communities has been recognised through a prestigious national excellence award.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said Council’s Look, Listen, Understand education program had been awarded Best Diversity and Inclusion Program in the Australian Institute of Training and Development (AITD) Excellence Awards announced today.
“Redlands Coast is built on 40,000 years of Indigenous culture and this award is testament to our commitment to celebrating this history,” Cr Williams said.
“The Look, Listen, Understand program includes a two-hour Indigenous information session as well as a full day of immersive training on-country on Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island) at the invitation of the Minjerribah Moorgumpin Elders-in-Council (MMEIC).
“The MMEIC and Traditional Owner Matt Burns have been gracious and generous in helping Council deliver this program, which was developed by Redland City Council’s Learning and Development Adviser Merrin McCulloch and Indigenous Partnerships and Programs Coordinator Brett Nutley.”
Mr Burns said the program offered a personal insight into Quandamooka Culture on Minjerribah.
“It continues to be well-received by participants,” he said.
Traditional Owner and training program leader Matt Burns.
Cr Williams said Council was up against strong competition to take out the award.
“The other finalists included Origin Energy and Engineers Australia, so this award was a wonderful affirmation of Council’s commitment to being a culturally safe, inclusive and resilient workplace,” she said.
“The program aims at creating and strengthening positive and lasting relationships with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
“So far more than 528 employees have participated in this award-winning program.
“It is just one of many initiatives in our internal Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), Kanara Malara – One People 2019-2021.
“The RAP is a formalised vision and set of principles to guide Council in our commitment to reconciliation efforts.
“Other initiatives include: the commissioning of Indigenous artwork which is displayed throughout all Council facilities; we put a Kanara Malara – One People artwork wrap on a library van and used more of this artwork on shirts made available to staff; and Council meeting rooms were dual-named to include the Jandai language.”