OUR 2020 ac.care and connect day brought staff from our diverse programs and sites together at three regional locations in the Riverland, Murray Bridge and Mount Gambier.
The event began with a Welcome to Country by local elders and other representatives of the local Aboriginal community, an address by chief executive officer Shane Maddocks reflecting on the agency’s achievements and development over the past year and introduction of the “Embracing Difference” event theme of diversity and inclusion.
A specially produced video was shared featuring Aboriginal/Chinese cultural educator Dana Shen, who supports organisations to improve human services, particularly with Aboriginal people and communities. Her presentation addressed how the organisation can embrace diversity and be inclusive in service delivery and team building, with a focus on individuals recognising their positions of power and privilege so they can be aware of opportunities to provide space for others to thrive.
The video was followed by group activities and learning experiences focused on diversity and incorporating inclusive approaches in the work of ac.care.
Networking and team-building continued into the afternoon with games and other activities and regional wrap-ups shared via large-screen video conferencing, which was in place throughout the day to connect the three sites and encourage interaction between the regions.
Conversations around diversity, inclusion and other topics highlighted through the staff development event did not end on the day, but continued online across the regions, including through ac.care’s internal Workplace communications platform.
“What a fantastic day yesterday was,” board chairman Rick Fisher posted on Workplace.
“I shared the day with people who live inclusivity and model ‘The ac.care Way’. So proud to have the privilege of being associated with such positive and caring people.”
