National Reconciliation Week and CATSIEN | Civil Aviation Safety Authority

In June 2022, 14 CATSIEN members attended the second annual CATSIEN conference. This weeklong event brought together many of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander employees and provided the opportunity to discuss the network’s role and responsibilities. The conference focused on increasing representation, inclusion, and promotion of workplace diversity from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspective.

Cairns was the location for the 2022 CATSIEN conference and coincided with National Reconciliation Week and Mabo Day. The conference agenda included forward planning workshops, commemorative events, team building activities, visits on Country, and small working groups to develop the network’s work plan and objectives. The conference is a chance for network members to discuss and consolidate the views, needs and interests of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff and the communities in which we operate, and share these with the broader CASA population.

Network members reflected on conference highlights that included:

attendance by CASA’s Indigenous Champion and RWG Chair
guest speakers from:
- Banjima Native Title Aboriginal Corporation
- Skytrans Cairns
- James Cook University
the Royal Australian Air Force
rainforest cultural tour
learning the Acknowledgement of Country in Yindinji language.

The conference resulted in the network establishing 3 priority areas for continued work that smaller working groups will action. Those priority areas include:

mentoring Indigenous staff members employed on entry pathway programs
building network awareness through internal advertising and promotion
collaborating with the recruitment team and actively participating in recruitment interviews.

The week culminated with a CASA-wide online event to recognise National Reconciliation Week and Mabo Day, attended by Elders from the Cairns region and more than 200 CASA employees from around Australia.

Published date: 5 July 2023

Back to Reconciliation Action Plan 2023 to 2026

Reconciliation Action Plan July 2023 - June 2026

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Table of contents

In this section

Introduction

Find our acknowledgement of country, terms of respect, and how we use photographs in our Reconciliation Action Plan 2023 to 2026.
Message from CASA Chief Executive Officer and Director of Aviation Safety, Pip Spence

Pip Spence, CASA’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Director of Aviation Safety (DAS) shares reconciliation reflections, achievements, and thoughts for the future.
Message from Reconciliation Australia's Chief Executive Officer, Karen Mundine

Karen Mundine, Reconciliation Australia’s (RA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) reflects on CASA’s reconciliation journey and the opportunities that exist for Australia’s civil aviation regulator.
Message from CASA's Indigenous Champion, Philippa Crome

Philippa Crome, CASA’s Executive Manager Corporate Services (EMCSD) and Indigenous Champion, reflects on CASA’s reconciliation achievements, the contributions of those involved in developing our Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), and opportunities to continue our reconciliation journey.
CASA RAP Working Group (RWG) members

This section acknowledges the current and continuing contribution of 30+ CASA team members that form our RAP working group.
CASA’s RAP Advocates

This section acknowledges our RAP Advocates and their support for our Stretch RAP, the education of the broader CASA team, and achievement of our RAP’s actions and deliverables.
Our vision for reconciliation

This section documents our vision for reconciliation, the seamless integration of reconciliation into our business practices, and responsibilities as a workplace and employer, information provider, and safety authority.
Our business

This section provides an overview of CASA’s history and responsibilities as a government body with a national reach and connection with several Indigenous lands and First Nations peoples.
Our RAP

This section connects our RAP with our core reconciliation goals of consolidating our accomplishments, growing Indigenous employee representation, increasing staff cultural capability, and fostering supportive and productive relationships.
CASA’s Reconciliation milestones

This section documents some of our reconciliation milestones since the start of our conscious journey with the first Indigenous Inclusion Consultation Network in 2013.
Relationships

This RAP pillar documents our strategies to build constructive working partnerships and relationships, and positive understanding of reconciliation, through our sphere of influence. Through these relationships we create a safe and supportive space for learning and personal growth.
Jawun Secondment Program

This case study highlights CASA’s involvement in the Jawun secondment program; sharing the stories of CASA’s Jawun alumni and our ongoing commitment to this opportunity.
Respect

This RAP pillar documents our strategies to take meaningful steps for learning, growing, acknowledging, and celebrating Indigenous culture, history, and heritage. Through these strategies we connect, bond, and walk together.
National Reconciliation Week and CATSIEN

This case study shares the story of our second CASA Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Employee Network (CATSIEN) conference (Cairns 2022), and the conference’s elements and outcomes.
Opportunities

This RAP pillar documents our internal and external strategies where CASA supports our Indigenous team members growth and career development, builds, and consolidates positive business partnerships, and extends our reconciliation strategies into the aviation community.
Career pathways - women in CASA

This case study recognises the valuable contribution of strong, determined Indigenous women and our responsibility to ensure career progression is provided to all staff members, irrespective of their chosen direction.
Governance

This RAP pillar explores the supporting mechanisms to ensure our RAP actions and deliverables are controlled, monitored, managed, and captured.
Procurement, property and security

This case study documents the extensive progress and achievements in integrating reconciliation within our procurement, property, and security business activities.
Surveillance and Cultural Learning Strategy

This case study highlights our internally focused cultural learning strategy as the mechanism to drive individual and organisational reconciliation understanding and explores the external-facing action of conducting surveillance events on Country where operators work.

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