New council worker aims to give Indigenous people a voice

LISMORE council's new Aboriginal engagement officer says nine traineeships on offer at the council are part of an effort to double its Aboriginal workforce.

MAKING IT RIGHT: Jodi Sampson, Lismore City Council’s new Aboriginal engagement and partnering officer, wants to see equal access and opportunity for Lismore’s indigenous community. Picture: Luke Mortimer

RECONCILIATION is everyone's business.

That's the message from Lismore City Council's new Aboriginal engagement and partnering officer, Jodi Sampson.

He was hired after a two-year employment moratorium at Lismore City Council and comes to the job with big plans and an impressive resumé.

"Before this job I helped Boystown set up their vocational training and employment centre, which is a new initiative... aimed at enhancing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander chances of gaining meaningful and sustainable employment," he said.

"I cut my teeth in the Commonwealth and NSW State public service and I've been involved in Aboriginal employment, education, training, youth affairs and business development and I rolled out some of their labour market programs as well - including the Community Development Employment Program (Aboriginal Work for The Dole Program).

"I've worked for every level of government and not-for-profit organisations over the past 30 years - I've been around a while. This is about education, extinguishing the myths and proper engagement."

Raised in Moree, Mr Sampson identifies as a Gomaroi man, but he forged an early connection to the Northern Rivers as a student at St John's College Woodlawn in the 1970s and '80s.

He was mentored by respected East Ballina resident Denise Duroux (nee Kapeen), who was his Aboriginal education officer.

Mr Sampson said the council's Reconciliation Action Plan drew him to the job.

"It was the carrot, as well as my strong connection to the Bundjalung Elders Council," he said.

He believes equal representation and employment are two of the biggest issues for Lismore's Aboriginal community and wants to see Aboriginal businesses equally represented within the Lismore LGA.

"This isn't about making amends at all; it's about getting our people equal opportunity and access," he said.

"Social issues and drug and alcohol issues are rife, but you know, a lot of those cases are a result of things like trans-generational trauma and impacts of the policies over the years."

Domestic violence, homelessness and literacy and numeracy are also important issues for Mr Sampson, who is strongly inspired by his hardworking parents.

"I want to give Aboriginal people in this area a voice," he said.

Mr Sampson has sought the blessing of the Bundjalung Elders Council on his return to the Lismore area.

Traineeships on offer

Mr Sampson's first move in his new job has been working with Lismore City Council to offer nine indigenous traineeships.

As part of its Aboriginal Employment Strategy, the council committed to raise the percentage of indigenous people in its workforce.

Currently 3.6% of staff employed identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, but the council has committed to raise that to 6% by 2017.

The traineeships on offer are available in roads, parks, water operations and with Northern Rivers Waste.

An information day will be held on December 9, but those interested must register by December 5.

For more information on the traineeships, contact Jodi Sampson or Sue Miller on 1300 87 83 87, or email [e-mail] or [e-mail].