Ormond College Reconciliation Plan 2013 - 2015

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