The Caring for Country team hosted a special cultural learning event for representatives from Penrith City Council, Blacktown City Council, Hawkesbury City Council, Fairfield City Council, Campbelltown City Council, Liverpool City Council, Camden Council, Wollondilly Shire Council, NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure, Housing and Infrastructure and Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC). 

The day was part of the Caring for Country program, an initiative under the Cumberland Plain Conservation Plan, and the Caring for Country Aboriginal Outcomes Strategy 2024-33, funded by the NSW Government.

Thirty participants took part in the session designed to build their capability to engage with and form stronger relationships through 'Courageous Conversations' when working with Aboriginal communities and First Nations people in Western Sydney.

Highlights of the day included participants learning about the Dignity Framework, and respectful and safe communication, with some challenging and meaningful discussions among participants and trainers.

Event coordinator Jess Herder, a proud Dunghutti woman based in Sydney and co-trainer Nicole Major from Thirriwirri said:

"Our Courageous Conversations provide cultural capability uplift, that supports participants to explore their own knowledge, attitudes, biases and ongoing cultural competence, and that of their organisation.

"We had a wonderful day at the Colebee on Darug Country discussing these topics and how to bring a dignity-centred approach to the relationships being built between the organisations that the participants work for and the large and diverse Aboriginal community of Greater Western Sydney"

The session took place at Nurragingy Reserve in Blacktown on 2 April.

For more information about the Cumberland Plain Conservation Program, follow the link.

Image: The Caring for Country team hosted a special cultural learning event