Audrey Walker
Footscray,VIC
Summary
I am a proud Gumbaynggirr woman with connections to the Yuin and Dunghutti Nations. My passion and connection to my communities has driven my professional background and allowed me to utilise my knowledge to achieve real and tangible outcomes for the communities I have lived and worked in.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Adviser, Aboriginal Employment
Department Of Environment, Energy & Climate Action
01.2023 - Current
- Project manage the implementation of key workforce strategies and actions to support delivery of the Pupangarli Marnmarnepu 'Owning Our Future’ Aboriginal Self-Determination Reform Strategy 2020-2025.
- Implement Aboriginal cultural safety initiatives with a focus on organisational development. Also act as key adviser to DEECA businesses to embed cultural safety across DEECA
- Provide strategic solutions to DEECA businesses to attract, recruit, develop and retain Aboriginal staff.
- Provide expert advice on the development of appropriate recruitment and marketing strategies to increase the application rate of Aboriginal people for advertised positions in DEECA.
- Prepare project plans, reports, briefs, and correspondence on outcomes relating to Pupangarli Marnmarnepu.
- Establish and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders including Victorian Traditional Owners and the broader Victorian Aboriginal community.
- Represent Aboriginal Self-Determination Reform on a wide range of internal and external Aboriginal and other employment committees, working groups, networks and forums as required.
Senior Project Officer, Engagement Support
Department Of Environment, Energy & Climate Action
01.2022 - 01.2023
- Deliver high-quality engagement support across DEECA to build partnerships with Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Victorians.
- Facilitate intergovernmental workshops on Aboriginal initiatives to enhance public sector awareness of these initiatives across whole-of-government and to improve coordination efforts in delivering those initiatives.
- Support the Aboriginal Partnerships and Engagement Team to progress any of the key actions for which the Unit has responsibility under the Pupangarli Marnmarnepu Implementation Action Plan.
- Design and deliver policies, procedures and guidelines that enable DEECA to improve outcomes for Aboriginal people in Victoria.
- As an active member of the Aboriginal Partnerships and Engagement Support Unit, contribute to the delivery of group and departmental priorities under Pupangarli Marnmarnepu.
Senior Practice Advisor
Our Watch
09.2020 - 12.2021
- Leading the day-to-day project management for the integration of evidence and principles of Changing the Picture across Our Watch and within the primary prevention sector
- Promote and support the uptake of Changing the picture by diverse stakeholders
- Provide advice and support to internal teams on the prevention of violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and the engagement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholders, audiences and potential partners
- Develop and deliver training to stakeholders in the primary prevention workforce
- Participate and collaborate with external stakeholders to inform policy relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities on primary prevention of violence.
Koori Court Officer
Magistrates' Court Victoria
06.2019 - 09.2020
- Provide appropriate and authoritative advice to Koori Court Elders and Respected Persons on all matters concerning the Koori Court Jurisdiction
- Provide advice and report to the Magistrates' and relevant staff, in relation to services and programs that are available to assist Aboriginal accused and/or young persons before the Koori Court
- Provide project planning and management of Koori community engagement activities at Melbourne Magistrates' Court
- Provide assistance to Aboriginal accused and/or young person's presenting before the Court with their court outcomes and obligations
- Identify and maintain a register of services and programs offered by local service providers with a specific emphasis on Koori accused
- Liaise with Community Corrections officers and Youth Justice workers to support their development of offender management plans or reports for the court that are suitable for Aboriginal accused and/or young person, where appropriate
- Engage with and inform the Koori community about the various jurisdictions in the court system where appropriate
- Promote and build awareness of the role of the Koori Court within the Aboriginal community and other key government, non-government and community stakeholders
- Maintain and collect statistical data in relation to Aboriginal accused and/or young person of the Koori Court and provide monthly reports to the Melbourne Magistrate's Manager of Listings and the Koori Court Unit.
Koori Case Manager
Magistrates' Court Victoria
01.2018 - 06.2019
- Provide case management to accused persons with a range of complex needs, who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
- Undertake a needs/risk assessment and work with clients to develop a person-centered, individual support plan that aims to address the issues that are contributing to their offending behaviors
- Access, coordinate and monitor the delivery of a range of treatments and supports for clients, including housing, alcohol/drug treatment, family violence interventions and mental health treatment
- Ensure that accurate, confidential client records are maintained at all times
- Provide support to clients in a way that is responsive to and inclusive of their diverse needs and backgrounds
- Prepare and present written court reports and provide advice or evidence to the Court, as required
- Provide brief interventions to court users and clients in need of immediate or short-term support
- Identify client risks and develop risk management and/or harm minimization strategies in relation to these risks
- Develop and maintain effective and collaborative relationships with key external stakeholders within the community
- Establish effective working relationships with the judiciary, legal profession and court staff in relation to clients within the court process, providing advice regarding relevant referral and treatment options
- Maintain up-to-date knowledge of current treatment and support options for clients with complex needs
- Actively reflect upon own practice and identify and participate in professional development opportunities.
Domestic and Family Violence Caseworker/ Goori Outreach Caseworker
Warrina Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services
10.2016 - 01.2018
- Facilitate intensive case management to women and children escaping domestic and family violence living within the women's and children's refuge
- Liaise and case coordinate with multidisciplinary services to achieve best outcomes for clients
- Coordinate and facilitate culturally safe workshops on how to identify and respond to domestic and family violence, to members of the Gumbaynggirr community
- Participate in community events and promote the safety and wellbeing of women and children in all aspects
- Provide sensitive and culturally appropriate services to women and children in a safe, secure and confidential environment.
Community Education Officer
Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT Limited
05.2016 - 10.2016
- Deliver information on the work of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Abuse to members of First Nations communities in a culturally sensitive manner
- Research the work of the Royal Commission
- Support victims of institutional abuse to access therapeutic interventions and support
- Engage with external stakeholders and organizations to identify holistic support for victims of institutional abuse
- Plan and conduct community outreach trips
- Work alongside the ALS Policy Officer to respond to Royal Commission issues papers and consultation papers
- Engage and build relationships with Aboriginal communities within NSW and ACT
- Develop material promoting the work of the Royal Commission within the scope of the ALS NSW/ACT.
Aboriginal Child Protection Caseworker
Department of Family and Community Services
04.2015 - 01.2016
- Assessing and responding to risk of harm reports to make informed decisions about the action that the department should take in order to ensure the safety of the child/young person
- Contributed to court proceedings, advocating for family's best interests and recommending balanced solutions.
- Implemented research-based interventions and strategies to support positive behaviour and social-emotional development.
- Completed comprehensive assessments of families to identify needs and develop support plans.
- Maintain relationships with agencies providing family support services to clients
- Work in partnership with the community to keep kids safe and support their families
- Monitor the placement and progress of children and young persons with the carers
- Provide advice to Non-Indigenous staff regarding Aboriginal children within the child protection system
OOHC Aboriginal Caseworker
Kari Aboriginal Resources Inc.
06.2014 - 04.2015
- Facilitate, support and supervise contact between children and young people placed in care and their siblings, birth families and significant others in accordance with court orders, case plans and reviews
- Conduct monthly case reviews
- In-depth support of foster carers
- Intensive case management for children with high needs
- Liaise with Department of Family and Community Services & other key stakeholders
- Conduct annual safety inspections of carers homes and ensure that standard of living is in line with Office of the Children's Guardian standard
- Attend meetings, case conferences and various other meetings that involve supporting needs of foster children
- Assist with implementation of KARI OOHC social events for carers, children and young people
- Maintain regular, effective and meaningful contact with children, young people and carers.
Legal Support Officer
Prisoner's Legal Service / Legal Aid Commission NSW
07.2013 - 06.2014
- Receive and direct calls from clients in custody
- Preparation of files for State Parole Authority hearings
- Prepare legal documentation for solicitors
- Adhere to confidentiality laws regarding client information
- Devise and implement processes for new procedures
- Reception duties
- Advising clients/stakeholders of services/programs.
Case Management/Job Services
BoysTown Employment Services
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Conduct initial assessments and commence pending job seekers into stream services
- Registration of job seekers presenting in crisis
- Arrange appropriate training in job skills
- Make referrals to non-vocational activities appropriate to job seekers needs
- Identify job seeker barriers to gaining employment & education
- Plan & implement job searching activities for job seekers to undertake
- Create, review & update Employment Pathway Plans
- Deliver staff training (Employment Pathway Plans, Early School Leaver's & Work Experience Phase)
- Undertake compliance monitoring & audits
- Liaise with Centrelink & other stakeholders
- Assist with sales and marketing duties designed to increase the client base, including visiting employers.
Education
DEECA Internal Training - Project Management Fundamentals
Managed Training Services
Melbourne 2022
First Nations LGBTI Inclusivity Training -
Thorne Harbour Health
01.2019
ASIST - Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training -
LivingWorks Australia
01.2018
St John Ambulance - First Aid Statement of Attainment -
01.2018
MATE Bystander Training - Train the Trainer -
Griffith University, QLD
01.2017
Recognising and Responding to Family Violence within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities -
SNAICC
01.2017
Casework Development Program -
NSW Department of Family and Community Services
01.2015
Cara House - Understanding Trauma, Attachment and Resilience in Children in OOHC -
01.2014
Diploma of Community Services Work -
Nirimba TAFE, NSW
01.2013
Skills
- Team Management
- Analytical Thinking
- Excellent Communication
- Self-Directed
- Staff Development
- Policy Implementation
- Project Management
- Complex Problem-Solving
Referees
Available upon request
Timeline
Senior Adviser, Aboriginal Employment
Department Of Environment, Energy & Climate Action
01.2023 - Current
Senior Project Officer, Engagement Support
Department Of Environment, Energy & Climate Action
01.2022 - 01.2023
Senior Practice Advisor
Our Watch
09.2020 - 12.2021
Koori Court Officer
Magistrates' Court Victoria
06.2019 - 09.2020
Koori Case Manager
Magistrates' Court Victoria
01.2018 - 06.2019
Domestic and Family Violence Caseworker/ Goori Outreach Caseworker
Warrina Domestic and Family Violence Specialist Services
10.2016 - 01.2018
Community Education Officer
Aboriginal Legal Service NSW/ACT Limited
05.2016 - 10.2016
Aboriginal Child Protection Caseworker
Department of Family and Community Services
04.2015 - 01.2016
OOHC Aboriginal Caseworker
Kari Aboriginal Resources Inc.
06.2014 - 04.2015
Legal Support Officer
Prisoner's Legal Service / Legal Aid Commission NSW
07.2013 - 06.2014
Case Management/Job Services
BoysTown Employment Services
01.2010 - 01.2013
DEECA Internal Training - Project Management Fundamentals
Managed Training Services
First Nations LGBTI Inclusivity Training -
Thorne Harbour Health
ASIST - Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training -
LivingWorks Australia
St John Ambulance - First Aid Statement of Attainment -
MATE Bystander Training - Train the Trainer -
Griffith University, QLD
Recognising and Responding to Family Violence within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities -
SNAICC
Casework Development Program -
NSW Department of Family and Community Services
Cara House - Understanding Trauma, Attachment and Resilience in Children in OOHC -
Diploma of Community Services Work -
Nirimba TAFE, NSW
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