Reconciliation Australia has now endorsed Court Network’s first Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), highlighting our commitment to inclusion, progress and reconciliation. The RAP Working Group worked closely with Ricky Kildea, a First Nations consultant from Wanyaari Aboriginal Consultancy Services, as well as members of Court Services Victoria’s Koori Leadership Group on the development of the RAP and eagerly look forward to officially launching in the coming months.
Reconciliation Recap
Staff recognised Reconciliation Week (27 May – 3 June) by hosting their inaugural First Nation’s book club, a monthly opportunity for staff to discuss select content from First Nations creators. So far, the club has discussed text from ‘Growing Up Aboriginal in Australia’ (edited by Anita Heiss), ‘First Knowledges Law: The Way of the Ancestors’ (Marcia Langton and Aaron Corn), and the Yoorrook Justice Commission report ‘Truth Be Told’.
In addition to the book club, Court Network purchased copies of the AIATSIS Map to display in our Victorian Head Office and court offices. The AIATSIS Map outlines the traditional nation groups that make up Australia and is a visual reminder of the diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australia and the Countries we operate across.
During NAIDOC week (6 July – 13 July), Court Network staff and volunteers attended the Victorian NAIDOC March, joining thousands of others departing from the Victorian Aboriginal Health Service on Nicholson Street to walk to Parliament House. Following the march, staff hosted a lunch at our Head Office and were joined by Volunteers and stakeholders from County and Supreme Courts. Across the week, staff and volunteers attended additional events at the Victorian Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (VACCHO), in other courts, and in local communities.
To encourage continuing education of staff, Court Network invited the First People’s Assembly of Victoria to speak on the Victorian Treaty negotiation process and invited everyone to consider how they can support the Assembly. Victoria’s Treaty negotiations are the first of their kind in Australia, and will have impacts across justice, housing, education and community services.
Court Network is looking forward to continuing reconciliation activities and launching the Reflect RAP in the second half of this year. For any questions, queries, or to get involved, please contact maaike@courtnetwork.com.au
SOUTHERN SONGLINES
This artwork was created by Luke Mc, a Wulgurukaba man from Magnetic Island. It was purchased by Court Network from The Torch after being voted on by Staff and Networkers.
“Songlines are ways that information is passed between tribes and generations. They can be dance, music, stories or artwork. Songlines teach us love and law. They enable us to navigate the land, teach us creation stories and give important information relating to seasonal hunting and gathering, Custodians of the lands and the right time to burn the land. This series of paintings is my interpretation of Songlines.”
Court Network proudly displays this artwork in our office and licensed its use for our Respect Reconciliation Action Plan as a symbol of our respect for First Nations histories, cultures and communities. It reminds us to continuously commit to and reflect on how we can contribute to reconciliation.
Luke Mc
Wulgurukaba
Southern Songlines #5, 2024
Acrylic on canvas