Centrelink celebrates Reconciliation Week
Victoria media release
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
Centrelink staff at Latrobe Call Centre will host a special morning tea and art show on Monday, 31 May as part of National Reconciliation Week celebrations.
The morning tea, with local community members and Indigenous elders, is an opportunity to discuss the issues currently affecting the local Indigenous community. Local Indigenous artists will be there and guests and staff will be able to watch them at work. Artwork by staff and community members will also be on display.
National Reconciliation Week 2010 will be held across Australia from 27 May to 3 June.
This year marks the 14th anniversary of Reconciliation Week with the theme ‘Reconciliation: Let’s see it through!’
"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," Latrobe Call Centre Manager, Paul Giannini, said.
The morning tea has been organised by a team of Latrobe Call Centre staff who are part of Centrelink’s Indigenous Apprenticeship Program.
"Part of the traineeship includes coordinating a local event and the team have chosen to focus on Reconciliation Week," explained Mr Giannini.
"The focus reflects Centrelink’s commitment to the Australian Government’s agenda of Closing the Gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
"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.
"National Reconciliation Week is the perfect opportunity to celebrate how far we have come, and to bring us together to identify what still needs to be done," Mr Giannini said.
"It’s about mutual understanding and respect, trust and the knowledge to turn good intentions into effective actions that pave the way forward."
For more information, telephone the relevant Centrelink media contact.