July 2009
Welcome to the Public Calling Bulletin
APS Indigenous Conference
On the 10th and 11th of June the second national conference of Indigenous employees in the Australian Public Service (APS) was held in Brisbane, sponsored and organised by the Australian Public Service Commission.
Opened by Dr Jackie Huggins, Deputy Director, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit, University of Queensland, and a member of the Steering Committee for the proposed National Indigenous Representative Body, the conference attracted 140 delegates from 40 Commonwealth agencies across the country, from a wide range of levels and types of employment. They had come together to consider the state of Indigenous employment in the APS and identify areas for future action.
The theme of the conference was Leading and Succeeding in the Australian Public Service, with a particular focus on workshopping resilience and retention strategies. Other key speakers included Joy Savage, Assistant Secretary, Department of Health and Ageing, and Kevin Brahim, WA State Manager and Indigenous Leader, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations.
One of the many highlights of the conference was a panel discussion on leadership and resilience, facilitated by Kerrie Tim, Group Manager, Indigenous Leadership and Engagement Group, Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. The panel of Aboriginal APS employees, each from interesting and varied public service backgrounds, generously shared their experience of balancing work to implement government policy with their identity as Indigenous Australians, and the strategies they use to sustain personal resilience.
 APS Indigenous Career Ambassadors and workshop facilitators—Anthony Creek, Child Support Agency; Jason Orchard, Australian Taxation Office; Andrea Kelly, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations; Matt Nicholls, Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations |
 Kerrie Tim |
Delegates were also asked to give their thoughts about strategies to support leadership and retention initiatives for Indigenous Australians in the APS. The outcomes of these workshop discussions will help shape directions for future action under the APS’ Indigenous employment strategy.
But it wasn’t all work. An informal dinner on the first night of the conference provided an opportunity for delegates to network, catch up, and swap stories.
A full report on the conference will be available on the Commission's website soon.
An overwhelming message from both delegates and speakers was the importance of bringing people together to talk and share ideas, and the Commission has committed itself to organising similar events in future years.
For further information on the conference contact Debi Richardson on 02 6202 3597 or email debi.richardson@apsc.gov.au.
NAIDOC Week Inter-departmental Touch Football Competition
On Wednesday 8 July 2009, the annual Indigenous Australian Public Service Employees Network (IAPSEN) NAIDOC Touch Football Carnival was held in Canberra. This carnival, a highlight of the Canberra NAIDOC calendar, is in its 7th year. After the humble beginnings of a 4 team competition, this year the carnival attracted teams from 23 Australian Government agencies which amounted to over 300 participants.
The day presented a fantastic opportunity to showcase how the Australian Public Service, and individuals within it, are working to address reconciliation and to demonstrate respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and culture—all this while getting out of the office, being active and having fun.
A barbecue lunch was provided to help keep the energy levels of players and spectators up and all were treated to an address by Craig Leon, Chair of the ACT branch of the IAPSEN and a performance by the Black Cockatoo Didge Tribe.
The fun side of the day however was all about touch football and this year, more than any other before it, the competition was fierce. The absence of last year’s winners, the Department of Defence, opened the competition up and ignited renewed hope from each contender.
The Attorney-General’s Department and the Royal Australian Mint once again fielded strong teams, but the teams from the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) and the ACT Government did not take a back step, cruising their way into the finals series. In the end, newcomers and short-priced favourites, the Australian Sports Commission proved too strong, defeating DIAC in an entertaining final.
All in all, the day, albeit a little chilly, was a great success and the winning agency, the Australian Sports Commission, will be awarded with a morning tea and trophy presentation.Career Trek Wrap up
The Indigenous Career Trek Programme has continued to grow across the country in the 2008-2009 financial year.
The Commission has run 19 Application Writing and Interview Skills programmes in 13 locations around Australia since November 2008. Workshops were held in Canberra (4 workshops), Brisbane (2), Darwin (2), Adelaide, Booderee National Park (Jervis Bay), Cairns, Dubbo, Hobart, Kakadu National Park (Jabiru), Melbourne, Newcastle, Perth and Sydney. A total of 198 participants attended the programmes.
The Commission is particularly pleased that it was able to extend the reach of Career Trek into the National Parks with the assistance of the Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA).
The number of regional workshops supported by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff around the country was excellent and vindicated the findings of the 2008 evaluation on the broader Australian Public Service Employment and Capability strategy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employees which highlighted the need for a greater regional presence.
The next iteration of Career Trek is currently being developed and it is likely to be delivered around the country from August 2009.