Emma L
Home State
New South Wales
University
University of Sydney
Qualifications
Bachelor of Arts in Aboriginal Studies and Sociology
Background
I grew up in Sydney and completed my Bachelor of Arts in 2007. During my time at University I completed an exchange program to the University of Copenhagen which was amazing. After completing my degree, I took a year off, traveled to Ghana and to the U.S and taught music at several primary schools in Sydney. I joined the 2009 graduate program to engage in meaningful work that contributes to Australian programs and policies.
Placements
First Placement
Indigenous Whole of Government and National Network, Arts Division
The National Network Section administers the Indigenous Arts and Culture programs. These include Maintenance of Indigenous Languages and Records (MILR), Indigenous Cultural Support (ICS), National Arts and Crafts Indigenous Support (NACIS) and the Indigenous Broadcasting Program (IBP). I was also involved in a Whole of Government (WoG) task to create 300 jobs in arts and culture programs Australia wide in a response to changes to CDEP.
My role included;
- Assisting with the implementation and ongoing management of funding agreements
- Assisting in the writing of assessment guidelines for State Managers to use when identifying organisations that can take on an employee. Implementation of a funding round for the Indigenous Broadcasting Program
- Undertaking research and providing administrative assistance to the Indigenous National Network
- Analysing the Standard Funding Agreement Terms and Conditions.
Second Placement
Indigenous Employee Development, Corporate Strategy Division
I completed my second rotation in the Indigenous Employee Development section which gave me practical corporate skills. I was involved in liaising with Indigenous employees and our Indigenous cadets within the department Australia wide. This section encourages Career development through workshops and we were working on getting an Indigenous Mentoring program up and running. The strategies, programs and policies that are initiated in this section are outlined in the Department's Indigenous Employment and Capabilities Strategy (IndECS). I was given the opportunity to help facilitate the Indigenous Employee Conference in Darwin which was an amazing experience. I also attended careers fairs to encourage Indigenous graduates to preference DEWHA as their employer of choice to complete their graduate year.
Third Placement
Indigenous Heritage East, Heritage Division
I completed my 3rd rotation in the Indigenous Heritage East section. This was a great opportunity for me to further develop my policy skills as well as developing skills in plain english writing. I researched and put together a policy position on 'Free, Prior and Informed Consent' which will be utilised by the section when engaging with Indigenous Traditional Owners on Heritage assessments. I also worked on rewriting the National Heritage List assessment guidelines into a plain english guide to be distributed to stakeholders explaining the process of National Heritage List assessment.
Final Placement
Cultural Policy Unit, Arts Division
So, I have come full circle and have returned to the Arts division! I am working in a small team that is addressing one of the key themes discussed at the 2020 summit. We are working on developing a cultural policy thats purpose is to value and strengthen Australian culture through the arts. I am involved in monitoring the online forum that has been developed by Minister Garrett that allows the public to make submissions about what they think is important to be included in the cultural policy. This is an incredible innovative and exciting way of engaging the Australian public on policy. I am also involved in researching and brainstorming models and frameworks of a cultural policy that can encompass the diverse cultural landscape that is Australia.
'the best thing about working for us ... is the environment'