[hassles]

Hi everyone

As you may have read in Track Watch and e-news, FWDV are considering the possibility of developing a Reconciliation Action Plan. I encourage everyone who is interested in supporting this initiative to contact Tony Kregor or Russell Sturzaker at FWDV. Visit www.reconciliation.org.au for full details of developing a Reconciliation Action Plan.

To give you a perspective from another peak body's progress in this area I include below an excerpt from the Law Council of Australia's background paper (p27) on it's recently launched Policy Statement on Indigenous Australians and the Legal Profession:
*********************************
Partnerships and reconciliation
(17)...the preparation and adoption of a reconciliation action plan, and promoting the preparation and adoption of reconciliation action plans by the Law Council’s constituent bodies;

139. Government agencies, as well as private organisations. RAPs effectively set down objectives for organisations to improve understanding of Indigenous culture and law and to promote the cause of reconciliation in a variety of ways. They are regarded as a positive means of turning statements of support and intent into tangible actions which will further the cause of reconciliation in Australia.
140. The RAP program was unveiled by Reconciliation Australia in July 2006, in preparation for the 40th. th anniversary of the 1967 referendum. Under the program, Reconciliation Australia certifies RAPs developed by organisations and has a registered trade mark for the purpose.
141. RAPs are intended to give organisations a pathway to building stronger relationships with Indigenous. Australians and to assist the national effort to close the 17-year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
142. The majority of Australian Government Departments and agencies have established RAPs, as have several national corporations (including law practices Gilbert + Tobin and Arnold Bloch Leibler), peak bodies, community organisations, universities and many State and Territory Government entities.81 Allens Arthur Robinson and Australian Government Solicitor are among several other organisations expected to have RAPs in place in 2009.
143. As the peak body representing the Australian legal profession, it is highly appropriate that the Law Council develop a RAP, setting down clear commitments to promote reconciliation and reduce the life-expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. It is also appropriate that constituent bodies be encouraged to develop RAPs, demonstrating the solidarity and commitment of the legal profession toward this cause.
144. It is proposed that the Law Council’s Indigenous Legal Issues Committee will begin consultation and preparation of a frame work for a Law Council RAP as soon as possible after adoption of this Policy Statement by the Law Council Board of Directors.
******************************

Prue Hasler

[Richard Groom]

Like many Australians I am troubled by the plight of many indigenous Australians. I know that this initiative is well meaning. However I cringe at the thought that it will assume a stereotype indigenous profile as applicable to all indigenous Australians and have a heavy handed, ill considered, 1 size fits all approach. Such a body needs to be guided by real experts and be capable of hearing from many indigenous Australians before jumping into action.

I will need to be convinced that this is more than well meaning before I put my name to it.


_________________
Richard
member #028

1959 Series 2 Ute, 88 inches of joy.
1999 Series 2 Discovery, Kimbersand.

Two much fun!

[242]

I don't think there are any experts. The issues are too complex, many things have been tried and much money spent. Derek
_________________
DEREK G CARLISLE

[hassles]

From the Reconciliation Australia Website www.reconciliation.org.au
***********************************
What is reconciliation?
Reconciliation involves building mutually respectful relationships between Indigenous and other Australians that allow us to work together to solve problems and generate success that is in everyone's best interests.

Achieving reconciliation involves raising awareness and knowledge of Indigenous history and culture, changing attitudes that are often based on myths and misunderstandings, and encouraging action where everyone plays their part in building a better relationship between us as fellow Australians.

How will we know when we get there? Reconciliation Australia's ambition is to eliminate the glaring gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and other Australian children. That the life of an Indigenous child is likely to end significantly earlier than a non-Indigenous child's is not acceptable in an affluent country like ours.

All the work we do with our project partners is dedicated to narrowing that gap.
***************************
How?
*************************
The RAP program was launched in July 2006 as a forward looking aspect of the 40th anniversary of the 1967 referendum, the most successful in Australia’s history, in which more than 90% of voters said “YES” to equality for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander fellow citizens.

The RAP program turns “good intentions into action” by encouraging and supporting organisations, large and small, to engage within their sphere of influence in the national effort to close the 17-year gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and other Australians.

A Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) is a tool to help your organisation build positive relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
RAPs give you a format for exploring how reconciliation can advance your business / organisational objectives.
RAPs are your public contribution towards the national effort to close the 17-year life expectancy gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous children.
A RAP formalises your contribution by encouraging you to identify clear actions and realistic targets, as well as lessons learnt.
While each organisation shapes their own RAP, all plans include a creative blend of relationships, respect and opportunities.
Developing a meaningful RAP takes time, but the final product is a simple, easy to read plan of no more than five pages.
The RAP Toolkit is a guide on how to get there.
*****************
Not a One Size Fits All

One of the Seven Compulsory Elements of a RAP is Indigenous Colloboration.
The RAP for each organisation is unique, developed with specific actions and Measuable Targets around Respect, Relationships and Opportunities.


*************************

Prue Hasler

[hassles]

I suggested this idea to FWDV after John and I had been to 2 Regional Reps meeetings. At one, the Ranger in Charge of the area including the new Parks along the Murray around Barmah discussed the formation and management of the Parks and indicated that more than 50% of the Board of Management members were Indigenous people. At another Russell Sturzaker advised that at meetings discussing the rebuilding of the King River Hut there were 2 Indigenous representatives at the meeting. These people could have stopped the rebuilding of the hut if they advised and Russell said that having a formal policy for Indigenous issues would assist in negotiations. Russell also commented that FWDV could hire some extra staff and receive some funding to assist if they were to hire Indigenous people. Gail Wright (Parks Vic 4WD Projects) advised that Parks have a positive discrimination policy towards hiring Indigenous staff which has been ratified by the appropriate commission. Apart from the very important issues of assisting the community, learning about Indigenous history and culture, the future of our recreation is being influenced by Indigenous issues, so I suggest that club members should have a greater understanding of the issues involved.

In relation to the process, I suggest the first thing to do is for FWDV to form a sub committee of club memebrs and board members to investigate the pros and cons for Clubs, Club Members and the association of developing a RAP. There are already a number of interested people including a club member who is involved in the formation of a RAP for a large Australian corporate. I am meeting with one person on our Ladies Wonnangatta trip this weekend

This sub-committee would submit a report and recommendation to the Board who would table it at the AGM and President's meeting for discussion. If the proposal is then accepted the board would charge the same sub-committee would with the developement of a draft RAP (with support from Reconciliation Australia including use of various templates) including collaboration with indigenous representatives, clubs and club members, Parks and DSE. Once a draft is produced it would be submitted to Reconciliation Australia and Clubs for discussion. The Board and Clubs would need to approve the RAP and then Reconcilaition Australia would need to approve it . The association is then able to use the trademark protected log and name in all appropriate marketing and public material.

The process needs to have the support of the Board and the FWDV Office. I suggest that there might be many members willing to assist in process. In fact, there is a requirement for there to be wide consultation in the formation.

Prue Hasler