Well it’s been a while since we've offered a newsletter update, but it’s great to be back!

2023 is proving to be a big year for the AILC with new clients, returning clients and a range of accredited and non-accredited programs filling up our calendar.  The team has been very busy and I am grateful to all our staff, our trainers and facilitators for their dedication and commitment to the organisation.

Our partners

I am also grateful to our corporate partners because without them we would not exist.  The AILC receives no government funding and we rely on our partners whose investment supports First Nations people to participate in our vocational programs.  The AILC who, for the past 22 years, continues to support the leadership, governance and mentoring journeys for many First Nations people from across the country.  Our delivery continues to be via both online classroom and face to face training and we hope that before too long we will be back delivering more face to face training across the country.

The Voice

The most topical subject currently being discussed is the “Voice to Parliament”.  Regardless of which camp you sit in, I encourage you all to take the opportunity to listen, learn and contribute to the conversation.  There are lots of sources out there, all with differing views and understanding. In simple terms;

“A Voice to Parliament will give Indigenous communities a route to help inform policy and legal decisions that impact their lives. Giving people a say will lead to more effective results.

Embedding a Voice in the Constitution would recognise the special place of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Australia’s history, but importantly would also mean that it can’t be shut down by successive Governments.” (source reconcilitation.org.au)

But it will be important for us all to prepare and educate ourselves, ask questions and seek answers as we prepare to cast our vote in the Referendum later this year.  The next six or so months will be interesting and I look forward listening, learning and watching our elders, our leaders and the wider Australian community's conversation as the Referendum date approaches.  More information is available at yes23.com.au

Paying our respects to Russell Taylor AM

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to pay my gratitude and deepest respect to our founding father Russell Taylor, AM.  We thank you for your vision and we honour you.  We will always remember you.   We send condolences to your wife Judi and your extended family.  Condolence books are available at the AIATSIS reception, or you can leave words of comfort for his family on Russell’s tribute page:  https://rb.gy/bl2az

And what is a message from the me without a quote!  This one I dedicate to Mr Taylor AM and summarises his contribution to the AILC in nine words.

 

“Leadership is the capacity to Translate Vision into Reality”.  Warren G Bennis