Our reconciliation journey continues
Aboriginal community
Berry Street believes in justice and equity for all and is deeply committed to reconciliation. This includes being honest about our history and acknowledging historical injustice, while actively addressing the current injustice experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
This year, we continued our reconciliation journey, with some key areas of progress highlighted below.
Completing our Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan
In November, we completed our first Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which included 47 actions over 12 months. Embracing Reconciliation Australia’s program, we spent time understanding how we support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and reflecting on our reconciliation maturity and who we want to be. We also acknowledge there is much work still to do. So, this year, we begin our Innovate RAP – a 24-month commitment requiring partnerships with Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs). It’s important to note that while the Reflect RAP is complete, reconciliation at Berry Street is 365 days a year. We continue to operate under the RAP values and support new reconciliation opportunities.
Berry Street School RAP
The Berry Street School is committed to creating a reconciled learning environment that embeds Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures in the classroom and community while maintaining genuine relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities local to each of its four campuses. In November, the school launched its 2021–2022 RAP at an event led by students.
Naming TFM homes in language
This year, we began naming our Teaching Family Model (TFM) homes in traditional language. Our Senior Manager of Aboriginal Service Development engaged with Elders through the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation. Following this, Aunty Gail gifted names in Woi Wurrung to Berry Street for the homes.
Invasion Day
Berry Street acknowledged that 26 January, known as Australia Day, represents the day of invasion in 1788, along with two centuries of dispossession, theft, injustice, slaughter and suffering. As a mark of respect, staff could choose not to celebrate the day and work instead. Many staff dialled into an event hosted by Aboriginal staff to pay respects and mark the day for what it represents.
Launch of Bagung Ngarrgu Digital Workplace
Bagung Ngarrgu is Woi Wurrung for ‘Gather Knowledge.’ Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Gail generously gifted Berry Street the name for our new digital workplace.
New office
This year, we opened a new office in Richmond, which strongly features reconciliation and culture. The new office and the cultural ceremony that marked its opening are significant in our overall reconciliation journey.
This Cultural Ceremony was held for Berry Street’s first office designed through the spirit of reconciliation. I feel ngurrabal, guwibanha and gulbalanha (love, warmth and peace) every time I walk through those doors.
Cultural Support Plan Project
We continued our project to create a cultural support plan (CSP) for every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander child and young person in our care. The project is a reflection and review of current practice, systems and relationships to better understand how we can support a culturally safe environment where pride in identity can flourish.
Our new Annual Report is available: Reimagining Futures, Creating Impact
Berry Street is pleased to release its Annual Report 2021-22. This year’s report is a powerful testament to the critical difference that our work can make.
We invite you to download our 2021-22 Annual Report to read about how:
- our evidence-based services are delivering a deep impact (from page 12);
- Y-Change is supporting children and young people to lead change in their own right (page 17);
- the Berry Street Education Model (BSEM) positively impacted Malak Primary School (page 18).
Berry Street supports the Voice to Parliament
