WORKSHOPS
Monday 20th June, 2011
Thursday 23rd June, 2011

Delivery of appropriate housing in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities is a continuing concern for communities and a complex challenge for government. More and more the various stakeholders involved in housing are realising the importance of place-based and community-centred approaches which pay due respect to the vast differences between individual Indigenous communities.

This workshop will assist you in understanding the unique concerns of communities to deliver housing in a community and culturally centred way.

By attending this workshop you will gain a better understanding of the issues & challenges that need to be considered in housing delivery including;

• Land, family and culture
• Health and safety
• Practicalities such as dog management, food management
• Furniture and whitegoods
• Infrastructure (roads, water, power and communications)
• Governance (decision making)
• Project management
• Aboriginal training and development
• Property and tenancy management

This workshop will address how these can be approached in an appropriate and comprehensive way, through greater integration of services.

David Bernard
Development Manager
(& former GBM Amata Community)
Housing SA
Department for Families and Communities, SA

After seven years' experience as an executive in public and disability housing in both the New South Wales and South Australian governments, David Bernard became FaHCSIA's Government Business Manager (GBM) for Amata in the APY lands in 2009. A community of 330 Anangu residents, Amata is one of 29 Remote Service Delivery sites across Australia under the COAG 'Closing the Gap' initiative. David is currently the Development Manager of the Woodville West Urban Renewal Project, where he oversees a community renewal project that will deliver 420 homes and establish a new community.

Improving cross-cultural capabilities is key to better translating community aspirations into reality.

There is no chance of achieving culturally appropriate housing delivery and community-centred planning without effective community engagement and communication between the various players involved. Given more say in the design of their futures, the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities improves. Only with strong communities can we Close the Gap on Indigenous disadvantage.

By attending you will learn how to:

• Promote capacity for community leadership
• Increase cross-cultural awareness and communication skills
• Establish common ground
• Understand and implement cultural protocols

Bridget Garay
Principal Consultant
Journey Forward

Bridget Garay is a Torres Strait Islander woman who has family connections to Mer (Murray Island). She is a highly motivated woman who leads a busy life as a business trainer and coach. Bridget is currently working with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia with a particular emphasis on micro-business and community enterprise.

Through her passion and commitment to building cultural, creative and economic capacity she has assisted many Indigenous Communities on a local, national and international level.

Journey Forward delivers programs to inspire Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People to participate in community leadership, sustainable employment and create their own economic independence through enterprise.