PM’s Indigenous Advisory Council learns from local experience

Seven Remote School Attendance Strategy team representatives visited Canberra earlier this month to take part in a leadership workshop and meet with the Prime Minister and his Indigenous Advisory Council.

The representatives from communities in the Northern Territory and Western Australia delivered a presentation to the Prime Minister and the Indigenous Advisory Council members. Their presentation included an acknowledgement of country, and in-language and English translation about the role of school attendance teams, local successes and ideas for the future.

“We had to put our confidence hat on to have the resilience to speak for our people,” Lorraine Bennett, School Attendance Officer from Beswick, NT, said.

“We talked about where we come from and the importance of education to our children’s future and our communities’ future. We shared ideas from each and every one of us on what works in our communities.”

Jodi Whitby, School Attendance Officer from Meekatharra, Western Australia, thought the trip was valuable for all involved.

“[The PM and the IAC] got a first-hand view of the challenges and a realistic view of what we face on a day-to-day basis,” Jodi said.

“They asked us why we thought kids weren’t going to school and asked for suggestions on how we could make [the strategy] work. It was good to know that the problems aren’t just unique to us; they’re across the board.”

The group also met with Minister Scullion at Parliament House, visited the Aboriginal Tent Embassy and attended Parliamentary Question Time. The team representatives have spoken positively about their Canberra experience, with many excited about implementing new strategies in the community with renewed vigour.

“It was an exciting trip and I got a lot of experience from it,” Lorraine said.

“I know I have support from the team in Canberra.”