Reconciliation Week celebrations - Gold Coast
Queensland media release
Thursday, 27 May 2010
Centrelink will host sausage sizzles at Palm Beach and Tweed Heads Customer Service Centres to celebrate the rich culture and history of Indigenous Australians during Reconcilliation Week.
Customers, Indigenous elders and groups, and other stakeholders will join Centrelink staff for the events on Monday May 31 at Palm Beach and Thursday June 3 at Tweed Heads.
Tweed Heads Call Centre’s 6 Indigenous apprentices have also invited local Indigenous group representatives to hear about their experiences of the Centrelink Apprenticeship Scheme on Wednesday June 2.
This year’s theme, ‘Reconciliation: Let’s see it through,’ recognises that a decade after the reconciliation bridge walks, the future for reconciliation has never looked brighter.
Centrelink Area Manager, Brian Small, said while there’s still a way to go, Centrelink is proud to be part of National Reconciliation Week 2010, which runs from 27 May to 3 June.
"It’s an opportunity to renew our commitment to reconciliation and focus on what can be done to better meet the needs of Indigenous Australians," Mr Small said.
"Centrelink is committed to the Australian Government’s agenda of Closing the Gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. We have a ‘Statement of Commitment to Reconciliation’ in place to help guide us towards that goal.
"Our staff connect with remote communities and customers through outreach and remote servicing teams. We are working hard to make it easier for Indigenous Australians to access our services through Indigenous Call Centres and Indigenous Servicing staff."
Centrelink’s Cultural Awareness Program supports non-Indigenous staff to better understand Indigenous culture and offers a range of programs to help Indigenous employees achieve their career goals.
"It’s about respect, trust and the knowledge to turn good intentions into effective actions that pave the way forward," Mr Small said.
"We’re joining with all Australians to embrace the future and aspire to achieve great things together."
For more information, telephone the relevant Centrelink media contact.