The department will be closed from Monday 23 December 2024 and will reopen on Thursday 2 January 2025. We will respond to queries in the new year. Best wishes for a safe and happy festive season.
Intro
The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) acknowledges the Aboriginal peoples of Western Australia as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land, waters and communities in which we operate, and we pay our respects to their Elders past and present. The DLGSC also acknowledges the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waters and community.
Reconciliation Australia welcomes WA Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries to the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) program with the formal endorsement of its inaugural Reflect RAP.
WA Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries joins a network of more than 2500 corporate, government, and not-for-profit organisations that have made a formal commitment to reconciliation through the RAP program.
Since 2006, RAPs have provided a framework for organisations to leverage their structures and diverse spheres of influence to support the national reconciliation movement. The program’s potential for impact is greater than ever, with close to 3 million people now working or studying in an organisation with a RAP.
The 4 RAP types — Reflect, Innovate, Stretch and Elevate — allow RAP partners to continuously develop and strengthen reconciliation commitments in new ways. This Reflect RAP will lay the foundations, priming the workplace for future RAPs and reconciliation initiatives.
The RAP program’s strength is its framework of relationships, respect, and opportunities, allowing an organisation to strategically set its reconciliation commitments in line with its own business objectives, for the most effective outcomes.
These outcomes contribute towards the 5 dimensions of reconciliation:
It is critical to not only uphold all 5 dimensions of reconciliation, but also increase awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, histories, knowledge, and leadership across all sectors of Australian society.
This Reflect RAP enables WA Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries to deepen its understanding of its sphere of influence and the unique contribution it can make to lead progress across the five dimensions.
Getting these first steps right will ensure the sustainability of future RAPs and reconciliation initiatives, and provide meaningful impact toward Australia’s reconciliation journey.
Congratulations WA Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries, welcome to the RAP program, and I look forward to following your reconciliation journey in the years to come.
Karen MundineChief Executive OfficerReconciliation Australia
The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries has a unique contribution to make to national reconciliation.
Australia is home to the world’s oldest continuing cultures, and we have the great privilege of supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Western Australians to grow, share and celebrate those cultures and associated languages.
As an agency we work hard to maintain Western Australia’s reputation as a producer of some of the nation’s — and the world’s — most accomplished artists, performers and athletes.
We also help to facilitate one of the most diverse and inclusive societies on the planet. We are proud to welcome people from all corners of the globe who choose to call Western Australia home, and to provide important pathways for sharing our state’s cultural heritage. We also help provide culturally safe, thriving communities in which all Western Australians can participate.
In the context of these responsibilities, we pay our respects to Australia’s First Peoples and Traditional Custodians — whose ancestral connections to this land extend across many generations and tens of thousands of years — and to their Elders, past and present.
I am proud we have officially begun DLGSC’s reconciliation journey with this Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (Reflect RAP). The Reflect RAP brings together commitments from across the agency’s portfolio and corporate responsibilities, which include:
staff and stakeholders. It represents a genuine commitment to mutual understanding, allyship and improved cultural safety for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander colleagues within our organisation.
In launching the Reflect RAP, I would like to thank all DLGSC staff for their time and contributions to this process. I would also like to convey my special appreciation to those who committed their time and effort in an official capacity, including:
Lanie ChoppingDirector GeneralDepartment of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries
The DLGSC works collaboratively across government, and partners with community organisations, peak bodies and other diverse stakeholders to enliven the WA community and economy.
This is achieved through the provision of policy, programs and activities for sport and recreation, multicultural interests and culture and the arts to support the local community and visitors to the state.
The DLGSC provides regulation and support to local governments and the racing, gaming and liquor industries to maintain quality and compliance with relevant legislation, for the benefit of all Western Australians.
We are respectful and inclusive
We take responsibility and deliver quality
We meet the needs and expectations of our stakeholders
We challenge the status quo with open minds
We build trust through responsible actions
The DLGSC was established on 1 July 2017 under the Public Sector Management Act 1994. The DLGSC is responsible to the following Ministers:
Hon David Templeman MLAMinister for Culture and the Arts; Sport and Recreation
Hon Dr Tony Buti MLAMinister for Aboriginal Affairs; Citizenship and Multicultural Interests
Hon Paul Papalia MLAMinister for Racing and Gaming
Hon Hannah Beazley MLAMinister for Local Government
The DLGSC consists of 2 divisions — Management and Coordination and Capability and Performance — and 4 directorates: Infrastructure; Specialist Aboriginal Projects and Engagement; Office of the Director General; and Integrity.
Management and Coordination includes local government, sport and recreation, culture and the arts, racing, gaming and liquor, the Office of Multicultural Interests, and regulatory reform.
Capability and Performance supports all DLGSC business areas and cultural statutory authorities through the operational areas of corporate services, finance, legal services, corporate communications, and strategy and performance accountability. This includes the State Records Office.
What we do:
The DLGSC is also the lead WA Government agency for outcome 16 of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and languages are strong, supported and flourishing. We are committed to embedding key reconciliation strategies in the way we work, including the WA Aboriginal Empowerment Strategy 2021–2029, which sets out how the State Government will direct its efforts towards a future in which all Aboriginal people, families and communities are empowered to live good lives and choose their own futures from a secure foundation.
As at 1 November 2023, DLGSC had 818 employees, including 27 people that identified as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander.
The DLGSC provides services to communities across the state, with offices in Perth, and the Gascoyne, Goldfields, Great Southern, Kimberley (Broome and Kununurra), Mid West, Peel, Pilbara, South West and Wheatbelt regions. The DLGSC also has recreation camps in Orange Grove, Vancouver Peninsula, Hillarys, Bicton and Coogee.
This Reflect RAP marks the beginning of an agency-wide journey to advance reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. The agreed actions and deliverables lay the foundation for our reconciliation journey, to challenge internal biases and strengthen our organisational culture, and will build awareness, acknowledgement and appreciation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ cultures and heritage across our DLGSC workforce.
The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries’ vision for reconciliation is for an Australia that is committed to understanding, respect and inclusion. Through individual and collective efforts, we undertake to educate ourselves, taking clear and meaningful actions, and to be accountable for the commitments outlined in this Reconciliation Action Plan.
Acknowledging more than 60,000 years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ continuous and unbroken connection to land, waters and community across Australia, the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries:
Throughout the development of this Reflect RAP, DLGSC staff put forward a range of meaningful proposals in relation to future priorities for DLGSC that will be explored as part of the ensuing RAP processes. These future aspirations are detailed in the 'Desired deliverables' section of this Reflect RAP.
The RAP Working Group, which includes members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employee Committee, has been critical in the development of the Reflect RAP. Their considered and genuine engagement has been the driving force on this important reconciliation step for DLGSC.
The DLGSC RAP Working Group members are:
5 of our RAP Working Group members identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander people.
Our RAP Working Group will meet regularly to monitor and supervise the Reflect RAP implementation process. Similar to the RAP Working Group, which was responsible for driving the development of this Reflect RAP, an Implementation Working Group will comprise representatives from across DLGSC, with strong support from our Corporate Executive.
The Deputy Director General, Capability and Performance is our DLGSC RAP Champion. The RAP Champion will be responsible for the overall delivery of the RAP commitments, supported by the RAP Implementation Working Group. Most importantly, all DLGSC staff have a part to play in embracing the RAP’s principles and values, and will be encouraged to have an active role in our reconciliation journey.
The DLGSC is committed to developing strong working relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, is proud to celebrate their cultural diversity, strength and resilience, and is deeply grateful for the ongoing contributions they make to the State of Western Australia. The DLGSC has a range of activities and partnerships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations, some of which are detailed in the table below.
Partnership Acceptance Learning Sharing (PALS)
A grants program available to all WA primary and secondary schools to promote and advance reconciliation in their local community. PALS is based on the core attributes of:
Partnership between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people based on trust, mutual respect and understanding.
Acceptance of and respect for diversity and valuing Aboriginal perspectives.
Learning more about each other, Aboriginal histories, languages and cultures; and how we can build strong partnerships with Aboriginal people.
Reconciliation Week Street Banners Project
Community engagement — Sport and Recreation
Community education and engagement — Aboriginal History WA (AHWA)
The DLGSC’s AHWA team provides dedicated research services to help Aboriginal Western Australians trace their personal and family histories.
AHWA partners with Yorgum Healing Services, Kimberley Stolen Generation Aboriginal Corporation, collecting institutions and government agencies to provide family history records and information to Aboriginal people.
In partnership with the State Library of WA (SLWA) Storylines program, AHWA provides monthly family history information sessions for the community. AHWA and SLWA also partner with the Department of Justice to conduct family history sessions for Aboriginal people in detention.
AHWA regularly presents and shares information about its services and truth-telling projects at a range of community forums. In 2023, this included presenting at the:
Engagement of Aboriginal community members for the business case and project definition plan phases of the Aboriginal Cultural Centre project
From January 2021 to March 2023, DLGSC engaged 6 Whadjuk Cultural Authority representatives to sit on the Aboriginal Cultural Centre Steering Committee during its business case phase. These members were elected by community at a gathering in December 2021, with 80 Whadjuk male and female Elders and provided critical cultural knowledge, guidance and direction for the business planning phase of the project.
From July 2023, the Steering Committee expanded to comprise eight Aboriginal community members during the project definition plan phase — including regional representation. The members were appointed and recognised by Cabinet, following a wide-reaching expression of interest process, for their experience working in a partnership approach with government and Aboriginal communities on major projects.
Building strong relationships.
1. Establish and strengthen mutually beneficial relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders and organisations
Lead: Director, Industry Partnerships, Culture and the Arts
Supported by: Director, Human Resources
Lead: Executive Director, Strategy and Performance Accountability (Aboriginal Unit)
Supported by: DLGSC RAP Working Group
Lead: RAP Champion
Supported by: Director, Corporate Communications and DLGSC RAP Working Group
Lead: Director, Regional Services, Sport and Recreation
Supported by: Director, Recreation and Camps, Sport and Recreation
Lead: Director General
Supported by: Director, Corporate Communications
Lead: Executive Director, Office of Multicultural Interests
Lead: Director, Human Resources
Strengthening respect for histories, cultures, and peoples.
Resources
Supported by: Executive Director, Specialist Aboriginal Projects and Engagement and DLGSC RAP Working Group
Lead: Executive Director, Strategy and Performance Accountability
(Aboriginal Unit) Supported by: Director, Human Resources
Lead: Director, Corporate Communications
Lead: Director, Human Resources and Director, Corporate Communications
Supported by: Director, Regional Services, Sport and Recreation and DLGSC RAP Working Group
Lead: Director, Corporate Communications and Executive Director, Specialist Aboriginal Projects and Engagement
Supported by: Director, Human Resources and DLGSC RAP Working Group
Creating opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employment and increasing supplier diversity.
Lead: Executive Director, Local Government
Lead: Executive Director, Sport and Recreation
Lead: Director, Procurement
Supported by: Executive Director, Culture and the Arts and DLGSC RAP Working Group
Lead: Executive Director, Culture and the Arts and Executive Director, Sport and Recreation
Supported by: Deputy Director General, Management and Coordination and DLGSC RAP Working Group
Embedding accountability into all our actions and deliverables.
Supported by: Manager, Human Resources Strategy and Development and DLGSC RAP Working Group
Lead: Director Strategic Policy
Supported by: RAP Steering Committee
Supported by: Executive Director, Strategy and Performance Accountability (Aboriginal Unit)
Supported by: Director, Human Resources; Director Digital and Technology Services; and Human Resources Systems Administrator (Payroll)
Supported by: Deputy Director General, Capability and Performance
Supported by: RAP Champion
Throughout the development of DLGSC’s Reflect RAP, a range of useful and meaningful feedback was received from the RAP Working Group, the DLGSC Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employee Committee, DLGSC’s Corporate Executive and other DLGSC staff in relation to future priorities for the department. These will be explored as our reconciliation journey matures.
‘Connection’ by Connie Clinch
This story shows the journey of how a strong healthy community is formed. With time, many achievements are made, strong relationships are created and better changes happen. A river runs through the centre of the artwork, bringing together people from all walks of life and who hold this thriving state together.
Connie grew up in Perth, on Whadjuk Nyoongar Boodjar. She loved the river life and Nyoongar Country. She moved to Broome on Yawuru Country with her husband and young family of 4 early in 2023, joining her mother’s family. Connie practised digital art design and acrylic on canvas and wall murals whilst living in Perth. Since moving to Broome, Connie has expressed an interest in printmaking. She is new to this medium and is enjoying learning more about it and expressing her ideas in a different form.