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INFORMATION: Emmalene Richards and Lez Taylor at the cultural awareness training in the Council offices.
The City of Whyalla has taken the lead on cultural awareness with a series of staff and elected members information sessions.
Hosted by Emmalene Richards, the co-chair of the Barngarla Determination Aboriginal Corporation, the sessions gave all Council workers a first-hand introduction to cultural awareness in the workplace and community. Assisted by Lez Taylor and Lyn Smith, the sessions covered everything from the Barngarla history of the region to positive working relationships and understanding between Aboriginal people, Council and the general community.
The City of Whyalla is the first Eyre Peninsula Council to engage with the Barngarla people with this type of program. Emmalene said it was an exciting step forward and one she hoped other Councils would follow thoughout the region and statewide.
Council last year resolved to develop a Reconciliation Action Plan. A reconciliation working group was formed comprising elected members, community members, Council’s CEO and staff. The group identified an opportunity to deliver cultural awareness training across the organisation.
“The Whyalla Council has taken a real lead by inviting us to hold these sessions,” Emmalene said.
“We’ve always appreciated Council’s lead with its acknowledgment of country at every meeting and significant public event.
“All these things are important to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and helps build positive working relationships and a better, united future.”
Whyalla Mayor Clare McLaughlin said the information sessions, one of which was held after hours for elected members, was not only a great exchange of information and ideas, it was a further extension of Council’s engagement with all members of the community.
“Myself and the elected members learned a lot and were able to engage in a meaningful two-way discussion on issues that affect Aboriginal people and our own Council staff and councillors,” Mayor McLaughlin said.
“I think we all gained a lot of understanding that will enable us to all continue working together as one community for everyone’s benefit with enlightenment and compassion.
“I’m proud to say Whyalla is a multi-cultural community where everyone is treated equally and these sessions go a long way to further encouraging this healthy attitude and vital understanding.”