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VICTORIAN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION NEWS
Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission
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7 July 2015

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This week we celebrate NAIDOC Week, a time to acknowledge the strong spiritual and cultural connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have with the land and sea and pay our respects to elders past and present. This year's theme is We All Stand on Sacred Ground: Learn, Respect and Celebrate, which is a reminder that we all have a shared responsibility, not just for the land and maintaining the traditions connected to it, but as joint stakeholders for the future.

I also invite you to come along to a special event we are holding on 21 July with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda to discuss Aboriginal Cultural Rights. 

Many of you will be familiiar with our profile this month. Antoinette Braybrook has been a tireless campaigner for the Aboriginal community and has dedicated her career to supporting some of the most legally disadvantaged people in Victoria. Read her story here.

In June, we released our Annual Report on the Operation of the Charter. We also prepared a submission to the 8-Year Review of the Charter. Both of these are available online and I encourage you to take some time to read our recommendations.

I hope you find this newsletter useful. We are always keen to hear from you, so please email communications@veohrc,vic.gov.au with your feedback and news you would like to be considered for inclusion.

Enjoy the read,

Kate
 
 

Spotlight on Aboriginal Rights

  
 
 
 
 

It was the early 2000s when armed with little more than a laptop, mobile phone and a modest grant, Antoinette Braybrook went about setting up the Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention and Legal Service in Victoria. A newly minted CEO, she had no management experience, no public speaking experience and had never dealt with the media. Read her story.

    
 
 
 

NAIDOC Week, 5 - 12 July 2015
NAIDOC Week is a national celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements, and an opportunity to recognise the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our country and our society. This year's theme is – We All Stand on Sacred Ground: Learn, Respect and Celebrate. Find out what's on near you.
 
 
 

Event: Aboriginal Cultural Rights: a human rights framework, 21 July 2015
Join Australia's Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Social Justice Commissioner Mick Gooda, Barrister and Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission board member Tim Goodwin and Commissioner Kate Jenkins for a discussion that moves beyond affirmation and into action.
 
 
 

Commission launches Aboriginal Cultural Rights project
The Commission is developing new resources to increase the awareness, understanding and use of Aboriginal cultural rights under the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities.
 
 
 

Applications open for National  Indigenous Youth Leadership Academy (NIYLA)
The NIYLA connects Indigenous young people from communities across Australia to develop the next generation of changemakers. If you are passionate about engaging and inspiring others to lead positive change through social action initiatives and empowering community voices, submit your application today!
 
 
 

Shortlist announced for Victorian Indigenous Art Awards
The 10th anniversary of the Victorian Indigenous Art Awards has commenced with the announcement of one of the largest shortlists in the event’s history. 41 artworks by 35 artists have been selected from all regions across the state, featuring works across a range of media including traditional pokerwork, painting, sculpture, photography and digital video works.
 
 

Seeing the land from an Aboriginal canoe

Culture Victoria has published an extraordinary collection of short films, audio recordings, images and transcripts that explore the significant contribution Aboriginal people made in colonial times by guiding people and stock across the river systems of Victoria.

View the series online
 
 

Commission news

  
 

Hear from our panel of older Australians who have made their mark before and after 65 years of age and join the conversation about the value older workers bring to our workplaces. 

Speakers:

  • Geraldine Doogue (Moderator)
  • Professor Emeritus Andrea Hull AO
  • Lois Peeler AM
  • Peter Couzens
  • The Hon John Cain II
  • Harrison Young
     
Early bird tickets are now on sale. Book your table today!
 
 

Annual report on the operation of the Charter released
After eight years of operation, Victoria’s Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities has moved beyond simple compliance with the law to proactively shaping and improving public sector decision making. The annual Charter report provides further evidence that since its inception in 2006, the Charter has become a catalyst for change that has promoted and strengthened a culture of human rights across Victoria.
 
 
 

Online video resource: human rights in local councils
The Commission has produced a series of videos that demonstrate how the Charter is used by councils in planning matters, as well as resources to help councils consider and apply human rights in their work. See the resource: Good decision making with the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities – How council planning decisions can consider human rights.
 
 
 

Video: Accessibility at the Commission (with Auslan)
There are many ways to access the Commission and our services. Watch this short video to find out how. Special thanks to Dorothy Docherty, Trevor Carroll, Susan Stork-Finlay and all the members of our Disability Reference Group who aided in the production.
 
 
 

Striking the right balance: freedom of religion and equality under the Equal Opportunity Act
The audio recording and Twitter conversation from our recent panel event with the Human Rights Law Centre is now available online. Revisit all of the highlights of the evening's discussion from our speakers, audience and Twitter followers.
 
 
 

Getting started: equal opportunity essentials for employees, 14 July 2015
A workshop conducted by the Commission for all employees at induction. Learn about discrimination, sexual harassment, bullying and victimisation – what is and is not ok at work, why appropriate conduct at work is important and how to speak up about behaviour you are uncomfortable with or offended by.
 
 
 

New developments

  
 

Classroom tools bring the story of Magna Carta to life

The Australian Human Rights Commission launched new interactive educational resources to explain the importance of the Magna Carta on its 800th anniversary. The resources include a short video, an interactive infographic and teacher resources.

See Magna Carta - the story of our freedom
 
 

Education state consultations – have your say
The Victorian Government is seeking input from the community on key issues relating to education in Victoria. The education state consultation site outlines the range of ways people can participate through reading consultation papers, getting involved in online discussions or attending one of a number of consultation sessions across Victoria.
 
 
 

Oversight system failing to protect people with disability, finds Ombudsman
The phase one report into the investigation of allegations of abuse in the disability sector has revealed oversight arrangements in Victoria are failing to deliver protection to people living with disability in a coherent and consistent way.
 
 
 

Willing to Work Inquiry open for submissions
Earlier this year, the Australian Human Rights Commission launched the Willing to Work: National Inquiry into Employment Discrimination Against Older Australians and Australians with Disability. The inquiry is now open for submissions and consultations will take place across the country.
 
 
 

Building social cohesion - a new online resource
The Australian Centre for Excellence for Local Government has developed a free interactive online resource to support the development of strong, socially cohesive communities. As well as local government, the resource will be useful to non-government organisations and community groups.
 
 
 

Fellowships open for women in science
Applications are now open for the inaugural Inspiring Women Fellowships. The Victorian Government funded program is designed to support female leaders in science, technology, engineering and mathematics who are planning for, experiencing, or returning from a career break. Applications close 6 August 2015.
 
 
 

Disability services: find it, use it, rate it!
Clickability is an online Australian disability service directory that features ratings and reviews from the people who actually use the services. It also provides people with disabilities who use services an opportunity to share their experiences in receiving a service and connect with others. There are also avenues for support workers and carers to share their perspective.
 
 

Fair go, sport! teams show their true colours

Melbourne University Women's Football Club donned their rainbow socks to spread the message of diversity and inclusion during a Pride Cup round on 18 June 2015. See all of the Fair go, sport! action as it happens by following us on Twitter!

Learn more about the Fair go, sport! project and how to get involved.
 
 

Community news

  
 
 
 
 

Trans and gender diverse anxiety support group, 8 and 25 July 2015
Transgender Victoria and the Anxiety Recovery Centre Victoria have partnered to create a support group providing information and self-help opportunities for trans and gender diverse people experiencing anxiety. The group meets twice a month (every 2nd Wednesday and every 4th Saturday) in Carlton. Find out more.

    
 
 
 
 
 

Respecting and Celebrating Black Writing and Storytelling, 9 July 2015
Presented by Dr Anita Heiss, this NAIDOC Week event will discuss ways in which Aboriginal authors across genres write about concepts of space, respect for place and connection to country, and why we should be celebrating this new Australian literature. Read more.

    
 
 
 
 
 

Theatre workshop for deaf and hard of hearing youth, 11 July 2015
St Martins Youth Arts Centre is running fun, inclusive theatre workshops for deaf and hard of hearing young people. Classes will be led by deaf and hearing teaching artists and will be fully accessible with Auslan interpreters present. Find out more and enrol online.

    
 
 
 
 
 

ReMastered Myths, 12 July 2015
Multicultural Arts Victoria invites you to experience a free afternoon of live music bringing together artists from different musical and cultural backgrounds. Musicians will collaborate over a series of creative sessions to explore diverse sounds, rhythms and instrumentation using cultural influences from Australia, Ethiopia and Japan. Read more.

    
 
 
 
 
 

Experiences of Older People from Culturally Diverse Backgrounds, 15 July 2015
Presented by COTA Victoria, this free talk will highlight the key issues facing older people of culturally diverse backgrounds within our community and the important considerations for service providers. Register to attend.

    
 
 
 
 
 

The Children Came Back: an ode to Indigenous success
Rapper Briggs takes inspiration from Archie Roach's classic Took the Children Away for a 25th anniversary tribute featuring Dewayne Everett Smith and Gurrumul on guitar. The song's release coincides with the beginning of NAIDOC Week. Watch the video clip.
 

    
 
 
 
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