Title: A message from VLA’s First Nations Network
Producer: Victoria Legal Aid
Name of speakers: Louise Glanville, Courtney McGann, John Cattanach, Simone Lim, Craig Cairney, Alan Dewis.
[Mustard yellow background with white Victoria Legal Aid logo and motto, ‘fairness, care, courage’, and website address: www.legalaid.vic.gov.au.]
Louise Glanville, CEO, Victoria Legal Aid: ‘I'm here with you today because it's National Reconciliation Week and here at VLA we're celebrating this, in part, by launching our new Aboriginal Employment Strategy.’
Courtney McGann, Project Officer, Aboriginal Services, Victoria Legal Aid: ‘This employment strategy is a vital step in ensuring that Victoria Legal Aid is supporting the self-determination of First Nations staff.’
John Cattanach, Lawyer, Pathways, Victoria Legal Aid: ‘Not only is it about working out Victoria Legal Aid but it's also about our mob being able to give back to our community.’
Simone Lim, Lawyer, Pathways, Victoria Legal Aid: ‘It's really important to me as a lawyer to work for an organisation that employs Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at all levels, that represents Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients in their legal matters, and that honours and celebrates our culture that is a part of our everyday life.’
Craig Cairney, Senior lawyer, Legal Hel, Victoria Legal Help: ‘I'm really looking forward to seeing more First Nations staff around at VLA.’
Alan Dewis, Associate director, Aboriginal Services, Victoria Legal Aid: ‘The importance of this strategy is that it continues to support our progress towards culturally safe and inclusive workplaces.’
Courtney McGann again: ‘It's really fantastic working for an organisation that supports my goals, my voice and development.’
Craig Cairney again: ‘I think if we follow this strategy, we should really see some significant change.’
Alan Dewis again: ‘As First Nations staff, our knowledge, skills and expertise will continue to influence the workplace and services for our people.’
Louise Glanville again: ‘This is a really important document for us – a very applied document – that means we're committing overtly to the recruitment and support of Aboriginal people in our organisation and to ensuring their safety and wellbeing as they contribute to our mission and vision as staff members of Victoria Legal Aid.’
John Cattanach again: ‘Reconciliation to me means the wider community standing side-by-side and walking together in order to close the gap.’
[Music]
[Mustard yellow background with white Victoria Legal Aid logo and motto, ‘fairness, care, courage’, and website address: www.legalaid.vic.gov.au.]
Reviewed 09 June 2022