H AV E N H O M E S A F E
ANNUAL REPORT 2021
D i vers i ty an d i n c lus i on
Diversity and inclusion Showing up for everyone
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples We understand a fair and efficient housing system is fundamental to reconciliation. In November 2020, we committed to developing a Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan, which will set out the steps for our reconciliation initiatives. Consultation in this regard will commence soon. We recognise the Aboriginal communities' inherent strengths and experience and are looking forward to having more conversations.
Diversity and inclusion are central to how we operate and who we are, both inside and out. We are committed to building an inclusive workforce that welcomes, respects, and values the diverse people we employ and communities we serve. We are on a journey and strive to incorporate these values into everything we do. To make genuine change, we are implementing intersectional community-led solutions. 12
We will be undertaking this alongside our Cultural Safety Project. During the year, HHS ran a working group to review HHS processes against the Strengthening Cultural Safety of Family Violence Services Framework and Aboriginal Cultural Safety Framework for Community Housing. We extend our thanks to Bendigo District Aboriginal Corporation for being advisory members of our group and for hosting a staff workshop with us. As part of our journey, we have focused on increasing training and cultural awareness education for our staff, including putting all new staff through the Centre for Cultural Competence Australia (CCCA) Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Competency course. And we were the proud gold sponsors of the Bendigo NAIDOC Week Committee’s event. The program provided a series of activities, exhibitions and celebrations that commemorated the year’s theme, Heal County.
