Geelong Aboriginal Employment Taskforce
Chris COUZENS (Geelong) (13:26): Last week the Geelong Aboriginal Employment Taskforce proudly presented the third summit of its First Peoples workforce on planning, developing and empowering. Aunty Muriel Bamblett, CEO of the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency, was the keynote speaker on social and emotional wellbeing of First Peoples and empowering economic independence. We also heard from Kaley Nicholson from Wan-Yaari consulting, Barwon Health’s Aboriginal health program on their Aboriginal employment strategy, Barwon Water on their Aboriginal employment journey and an expert panel from Geelong’s First Nations leaders. A huge thankyou to the Gordon TAFE for their commitment and contribution to the summit: the involvement of the Gordon TAFE’s First Nations Mumgu-dhal students and the Gordon’s Davidson restaurant for a magnificent lunch, along with the Gordon floristry students who prepared the table flowers. It created an incredible day for over 100 Geelong businesses, public servants and First Peoples.
The summits are a result of Geelong First Peoples leaders coming together to improve Aboriginal economic development opportunities, job opportunities, education opportunities and self-determination. First Peoples have led this taskforce. They have set the agenda, and the Geelong community and stakeholders have had the privilege of being taken on the journey with them. I want to thank the First Peoples taskforce for their work and trust. Victoria is leading the way on treaty, truth and self-determination; however, we know that we are not closing the gap fast enough.