 During NAIDOC Week, from July 4 – 11, people all around Australia celebrated the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This year’s theme was Unsung Heroes – Closing the Gap by Leading Their Way. UnitingCare Queensland is committed to working towards reconciliation and to “closing the gap” and this commitment was demonstrated through the many NAIDOC Week celebrations that took place throughout Blue Care and Lifeline and in the Corporate Offices at North Quay. For more information about our NAIDOC celebrations click on the title above.
In Blue Care aged care facilities and respite centres across Queensland, celebrations included displays of traditional dancing, exhibitions of Aboriginal artefacts, didgeridoo performances, NAIDOC flag raising ceremonies and sharing of information about Aboriginal heritage. On 8 July a Blue Care stall displayed information on Blue Care's Indigenous Employment Program at the NAIDOC Week Community event in Bundaberg’s Alexandra Park. A similar stall was run by Blue Care at NAIDOC celebrations in Rockhampton on 9 July. In Brisbane both Blue Care and Lifeline had stalls at the NAIDOC Day celebrations at Musgrave Park. At the Lifeline Brisbane office in Fortitude Valley, a bush tucker morning tea was held where participants played The Bridge – a Trivial Pursuit style board game that helps players understand the experiences of the Australian Aboriginal peoples and their contribution to Australia from early colonisation to the present day. At the UnitingCare corporate offices in North Quay, Anne Cross, CEO UnitingCare Queensland, and Greg Mackay, Director of the UnitingCare Centre for Social Justice, announced the signing of a statement of commitment on behalf of the Executive Leadership Team committing UnitingCare Queensland to the development of a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) by August 2011. “Our Reconciliation Plan will formalise and build on the work that we have already been doing across our agencies and services in the area of reconciliation through our Indigenous employment programs; the establishment of NAIDOC groups and the steps that we have taken to ensure that best practice policies in care are implemented in accordance with appropriate cultural protocols for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples,” Anne Cross said. “There is still a long way to go but as with every journey, there is a sense of anticipation and pleasure in taking these next steps,” she said. Two of UnitingCare Queensland’s Indigenous colleagues from Lifeline Community Care Queensland, Trudy Cooper and Christine Himstedt-Anderson attended the NAIDOC Week morning tea at North Quay and shared with participants what NAIDOC Week meant to them, a little about the work that they do and some of their personal stories. Trudy and Christine also helped cut the NAIDOC cake, made by Kerryn Prentice, Financial Accountant, UnitingCare Queensland. Christine and Trudy were both pleased to have the opportunity to share their experiences. “I felt quite valued and special and I would like to thank all those who were there for the lovely feeling that I will keep and cherish for the rest of my life,” Christine said. |
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