Reconciliation Action Plan 2013 – 2015
The front cover reflects a symbolic piece of artwork that was created by a former resident member of Ormond College, Anzak Newman. Anzak sketched the outline on the canvas of the Aboriginal and the Torres Strait Islander flags. Members of the College community and external visitors to the annual art exhibition were asked to commit to reconciliation by adding their thumbprint dipped in the appropriate colour to the canvas. The completed canvas, prominently displayed within the College, represents our College’s recognition and respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
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Reconciliation is an extraordinary human gesture of healing. As recent arrivals from distant destinations, when we wonder at the majesty of the manna gums or are captivated by an evening chorus of birds, we sense the faintest echo of the extraordinary beauty of this most abundant of lands. We can’t know the spiritual significance or the deepest meaning of this place. We can’t know the aching pain of the soul when these lands were lost to those who cared for them and their creatures. Therefore, that someone who belongs to this place could offer the leaf of a gum tree and welcome the descendants of those who so wronged the land and its people onto their country is a miracle of human kindness we can never deserve but only receive. That forgiveness is offered by those entitled to justice is the great human gift anyone can give another. To accept this gift is to choose to walk on the path of reconciliation. It is a gift we can never repay because the past cannot be unmade. It is a gift we honour by working together to build a different future. It is work founded on a truthful acknowledgement of the past. It is nurtured by a care and respect for the culture and connections to the land and living past of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. It is sustained by our every effort to ensure we work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to create the opportunities for them to build a future of their choosing. Ormond College’s Reconciliation Action Plan is our commitment to work together to build that different future.
Rufus Black Master
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Our Reconciliation Action Plan In 2008, members of Ormond representing the five communities came together to develop Ormond College’s first Indigenous Program Strategic Action Plan for the years 2009–2012. Ormond College is comprised of five communities: undergraduate (Junior Common Room – JCR); graduate (Middle Common Room – MCR); senior academics (Senior Common Room – SCR), staff; and alumni. This document outlined a comprehensive plan for engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and community members in concert with members of the non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community under the headings of ‘respect, education and relationships’. The Strategic Plan supported the aims of the Ormond College Indigenous Program (OCIP), which reflected the College’s commitment to the active engagement of reconciliation principles and practices within the Ormond community. The Strategic Plan included strategies to ensure the OCIP was sustainable and consistent with the values and educational goals of Ormond College, and the philosophy and direction of the Ormond College Learning and Community Programs. The plan identified strategies to ensure that the Indigenous Program was developed and implemented in close consultation with the Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, and the members of (including the Senior Common Room, Middle Common Room and Junior Common Room), staff and alumni of Ormond College. The Strategic Plan was developed within the framework of a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). This document builds on the activities successfully undertaken through the implementation of the 2009 Strategic Action Plan, and sets out the goals for the years 2013–2015. Jane Freemantle
Lead Tutor Ormond College Indigenous Program
Relationships Engagement also helps us to: • • • • •
build cultural understanding, trust and respect enable greater cooperation and collaboration and partnerships build connections and relationships which create opportunities build pride and confidence and willingness to share ideas and knowledge; and understand disadvantage and be better informed and equipped to develop appropriate responses.
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Ormond College seeks to address the disparities in the recruitment, retention and successful completion of tertiary studies among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People through the activities of the Ormond College Indigenous Program. While the Ormond College Indigenous Program provides academic, pastoral and financial support for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, importantly it also includes a number of initiatives and activities aimed at all Ormond students and staff. These activities support the strategic aims of the Ormond College Indigenous Program.
Our vision for reconciliation At Ormond College we strive to provide a living example of reconciliation. This document reflects our commitment to the active engagement of reconciliation principles and practices among the wider Ormond community. By implementing this program we aim to build on Ormond’s long history of producing community leaders, by equipping those who pass through the College to become advocates for reconciliation within the community. The College is committed to equipping students to make a disproportionate difference in the world; thus, Aboriginal and non Aboriginal relationships, respect and opportunities play an integral role in the vision of the College as an Australian educational institution.
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Who we are Ormond College is a college affiliated with the University of Melbourne, and is situated on the land of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation. The College was founded in 1881, and is guided by the values of: •
Community – Ormond’s members participate actively to make friends and build mutual understanding, show care and support, and recognise the value of each person.
•
Heritage – Ormond’s members honour the original owners of the land, the College’s foundation, our natural and historic environment and the academic inheritance as cornerstones for continued progress and development in the life of the College.
•
Integrity – Ormond’s members live in and contribute to an environment with strong ethical values and clear behavioural expectations and in which truth, compassion, moral courage and respect are valued, recognised and modeled in everyday life.
•
Learning – Ormond’s members are involved in exploring intellectual and academic pursuits and in coming to an understanding of themselves, their community and their world.
•
Diversity – Ormond’s members from different disciplines, backgrounds, cultures and beliefs interact positively to develop an understanding of and respect for each other. Auntie Joy Wandin-Murphy, Wurundjeri Elder welcoming Ormond students and community at the beginning of the university year to her land, the land of the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation.
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Relationships
Engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and building respectful relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-A boriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are integral to the core values of Ormond College.
Focus area: for members of Ormond College to live the College value of heritage, we must acknowledge the history of the First Peoples Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Measurable Target
To build relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Ormondians through knowledge exchange, understanding and twoway education
Ormond College Indigenous Program (OCIP)/all Common Rooms/Ormond Executive
A minimum of two per year
Engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations. The OCIP to hold one dinner per semester where an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander guest speaker shares their story with Ormond students
Improve the knowledge and understanding of all the Ormond communities with regards to the history of the First Australians
Learning and Community (L&C), OCIP, General Committee (GC)
A minimum of one series per year
A seminar series that provides historical and contemporary information about the First Australians
Promote a greater knowledge and understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People past and present
Ormond College Students’ Club (OCSC)
Two per year
The OCSC to hold two dinners during the academic year that foster open storysharing between Ormond students (eg Cultural Diversity Dinner)
To provide opportunities for incoming resident students to engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
OCSC, OCIP
February and July annually
Inclusion of activities that promote knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history and culture as a component of the orientation program at the commencement of each semester
Establish relationships with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
OCIP, L&C Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander resident students
March 2013
Include community outreach to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities as a component of the Self and Society curriculum
Increase the number of programs available to Ormond students to establish relationships with Koori Students through mentoring and tutoring
L&C OCIP
March 2013/July 2013
Increase the level of involvement of students through involvement in education based initiatives eg Australian Indigenous Mentor Experience (AIME)
Increase opportunities for all inter-collegiate relationships between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students resident at the University of Melbourne
Leader of Indigenous sub-committee/ OCIP
Throughout the year
For Ormond to ensure that the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students at other colleges are invited to 2 events per year
Facilitate national-level relationships
Vice-Master/OCIP
February (annually)
For Ormond to establish organisational-level engagement (ie internships) between Ormond students and Reconciliation Australia
Vice-Master/OCIP
December (annually)
For at least 5 Ormond students to apply for internships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, such as those available through the Aurora Project
OCIP Advancement
Annually
8 Ormond students to become involved in a meaningful engagement within the Community on an annual basis eg Garma (August)
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Respect
Respect plays a key role in helping to create a place of learning that values individual differences and diversity.
Focus area: respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian people, culture, land, and history is key to the creation of an enabling learning environment Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Measurable Target
Promote formal acknowledgement and recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People
Master Council OCIP, Middle Common Room (MCR), Senior Common Room (SCR), OCSC, GC
March 2014
The purchase and erection of two permanent flagpoles
December 2013
Purchase of Torres Strait Islander flag (Aboriginal flag has already been purchased)
March 2014
The design, purchase and affixing of a plaque acknowledging the Wurundjeri people
Throughout the year
Event hosts to acknowledge the traditional owners of the land at all significant occasions and meetings
Junior Common Room (JCR)
Throughout the year
For leaders of the OCSC to explain the significance of Acknowledgements of Country at the Commencement Dinner (semester 1) and Recommencement Dinner (semester 2)
JCR
July 2014
Purchase a piece of Aboriginal art from the primary market for display within the College through the Brack Fund
OCIP to provide the information to Maintenance
Throughout the year
Fly the Aboriginal and the Torres Strait Islander flags on days significant to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities
Maintenance (Gardeners)
end 2014
Identify suitable area of grounds for developing a native garden. Provide assistance for planting of the garden
OCIP OCSC
August (annually)
Celebrate NAIDOC week during semester 2 with a significant event combining the five Ormond communities in addition to the local Koori community. (NAIDOC week is held during semester break)
Arts committee
Annually
Encourage Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art to be included in the Ormond art show
OSCS OCIP
Three per year
Host three Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander initiatives per year that could include art, drama, sport, music, literature, storytelling
Visual recognition of the original custodians of the land on which Ormond College stands
Celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and heritage
To actively promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander success by breaking the stereotypes
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Respect
Respect plays a key role in helping to create a place of learning that values individual differences and diversity.
Focus area: respect for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australian people, culture, land, and history is key to the creation of an enabling learning environment Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Measurable Target
Build Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and non-Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students knowledge, by actively creating a culture of enquiry and knowledge about Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture and affairs
Learning and Community (L & C) OCIP
Throughout the year
Organise three Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander professionals to speak about their area of expertise, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives on global issues. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander information is to be included in the fresher exam in O Week
O Week Sub Committee (OWSC)
Orientation (February and July)
Include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander information, including Ormond College’s commitment to reconciliation, in the induction orientation information at the beginning of each semester
OCIP OCSC
Semester 1
Run a Q&A – style session around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues and/ or culture
Ormondian leaders OCSC, editors of The Ormondian
Three times per semester
At least one article relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues to be included in The Ormondian
Editors of Ormond Papers
November (annually)
Respecting editorial independence, encourage the editors of The Ormond Papers to include at least three articles that reflect Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues in the publication
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Opportunities
Through the development of a diverse program of College activities, develop informed global citizens with the capacity to influence policy as future decision-makers
Focus area: capacity building and empowerment of individuals Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Measurable Target
Develop and improve the admissions procedures and improve pathways to encourage the enrolment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
College Executive Admissions
March 2013–2015
Enrol at least 3 new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students each year
Provide effective support to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students to improve retention and success at university
L&C, OCIP
Throughout the year
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students achieve at least a 65% GPA
Advancement Alumni
Throughout the year
Financial support provisions (including scholarships) promoted to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
Develop a specific marketing strategy, reviewed and adjusted (where necessary), to attract Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
Advancement and Marketing
July 2014
Retain a critical mass of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students within the student population – between 6 and 12 students in residence in any given year
Develop a strategy that reflects a proactive recruitment pathway from primary school to university
Advantage and marketing, students
July 2014
Increased engagement with schools who have Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students – local and regional
Assist in developing pathways to career opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students by providing mentoring opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students through Ormond alumni networks
Advancement Ormond alumni OCIP
Throughout the year
Develop an individual career pathway plan for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
Increase employment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff at Ormond College through a positive recruitment strategy
Master College Executive
December 2014
At least one Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff member recruited
Raise aspirations at the individual level through mentoring, leadership and connecting with strong role models
L&C, OCIP Advancement
Throughout the year
At least one occasion for every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander student to connect with professional bodies, leading professionals and/or significant capacity building events
Engage the University of Melbourne (Murrup Barak) in the development of recruitment and retention strategies
Vice Master, OCIP
Throughout the year
Meet at least twice a year
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Tracking progress and reporting Action
Responsibility
Timeline
Measurable Target
That the OCIP fosters a culture of accountability and learning from past experiences, both successful and challenging
OCIP/student body
Dec 2013 Dec 2014 Dec 2015
Produce an annual report for each of the years included in the RAP
Review the RAP annually
OCIP/student body
Dec 2013 Dec 2014 Dec 2015
Produce an annual review for each of the years included in the RAP
Develop a new RAP in 2015 for the years 2016–2018
OCIP/student body
June 2014
Produce a revised RAP for the years 2016–2018
Ormond students and staff with Jack Thompson at the Garma Festival, Arnhem Land
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Warren Mundine addressing the Garma Festival
O R MON D C OLLEGE
T H E U N I V E R S I T Y O F M E LB OU R N E 49 College Crescent, Parkville VIC 3052 Australia T: 61 3 9344 1303 F: 61 3 9344 1111 E: advancement@ormond.unimelb.edu.au www.ormond.unimelb.edu.au ABN 975 436 240 82