''The role of Director Aboriginal Services enables me to consult widely and appropriately with Aboriginal people, to influence the decision makers and to help shape the future of Vocational Education and Training and employment for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities in Western Australia.'' (Wendy Dawson, former Director Aboriginal Services, WA Department of Education and Training)

Aboriginal affairs directors are employed by a variety of government departments and agencies in Western Australia. It is difficult to know exactly how many high-level public servants fulfil this role, however, males and females can both be found employed in this capacity. The majority of these directors work in the Perth metropolitan area.

Each year, approximately 250 places are offered in indigenous sector management, social work and social science degrees. In addition, some 40 places are offered in each of the Aboriginal Studies, Australian Indigenous Studies and Indigenous Australian Cultural Studies undergraduate degrees. Not all of these course graduates would pursue work as Aboriginal affairs directors.

Aboriginal affairs directors are key members of organisations who head up the planning, development, implementation and monitoring of an organisation's policies and strategies.


An Influential Figure

A very hands-on role, Aboriginal affairs directors are involved in the day-to-day running of an organisation as well as providing strategic focus and direction. By implementing and achieving the objectives of an organisation, Aboriginal affairs directors play a significant role in shaping and influencing the future.

In Wendy Dawson's case, her role was to maximise the training and employment outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across the Vocational Education and Training and employment sectors in Western Australia. Wendy also managed the State and Commonwealth resources for the Aboriginal Services branch, and its operations.

Wendy says,

''There is nothing more satisfying than seeing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities determining their training needs and priorities, developing a love of lifelong learning, gaining meaningful employment and improving their quality of life.

''As an Aboriginal person I feel that I am opening doors of opportunity for my people, building bridges of reconciliation, challenging the perceptions and myths and making a positive difference.''

Aboriginal affairs directors are also responsible for:

- Supporting, developing and evaluating strategies that encourage community participation in activities;

- Communicating and consulting frequently with community groups, government bodies, non-government agencies and private businesses to actively engage and influence the decision makers of these agencies as well as report on the effectiveness of an organisation's strategies;

- Fostering and developing relationships with a diverse range of clients from Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities.


Another Example Of Directorship

The ABMUSIC Aboriginal Corporation is a training centre for Indigenous music and performing arts. Established in 1985 as an association to provide support to the Indigenous community of Western Australia in addressing Indigenous socio-economic issues, it utilises music and music-based cultural activities as a theme to foster multicultural communication and understanding.

The Corporation's Chief Executive Officer (Directors may also be referred to as Chief Executive Officers), Rex Wright, says that ABMUSIC's mission is to provide training and development in the performing arts to develop an Australian identity where traditional and contemporary Indigenous culture are integral parts of the social, cultural, environmental and economic fabric of society. Aboriginal affairs directors also maintain a sound understanding of socio-economic and cultural diversity issues among Indigenous people and communities in Western Australia.

Furthermore, these directors:

- Oversee the strategic management of human and financial resources; and
- Carry out administrative work. This may include written correspondence, preparing submissions and reports for government bodies or other agencies and attending management meetings.

The types of qualities important to this role include good leadership skills, and the ability to demonstrate a high level of attention to detail and recognise and secure the resources that an organisation needs to operate effectively.

Rex says,

''Directors need to have a vision or dream for an organisation. They also need to be aware of the issues within a community and appreciate their importance to the Indigenous and non-Indigenous community.''

Before you can become an Aboriginal affairs director, you will usually need to have gained vast experience in a particular Indigenous affairs sector. This should be supplemented with a broad employment base and experience in a management role.

Aboriginal affairs directors are employed by various state government agencies including the Departments of Education and Training, Health and Ageing, Community Development, Housing and Works, Justice, Education Services, Indigenous Affairs, Industry and Resources, Local Government and Regional Development.

The demand for these directors would best be described as steady, despite them being employed by various organisations. There is a tendency for people in these positions to remain in them for considerable lengths of time in order to develop productive working relationships, be responsive to community needs, and to develop and implement meaningful and achievable strategies that meet the diverse needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities.

For information regarding salaries in this field, please go to the Australian Government Workplace Authority website (see link below).

To become an Aboriginal affairs director, it is highly advantageous to have obtained a tertiary qualification in social science or other relevant discipline such as social work or community services.

Most universities in Western Australia offer some or all of these qualifications. Curtin and Edith Cowan Universities offer both social science and social work degrees. The latter degree is also offered by the University of Western Australia.

Other degree courses that may be advantageous in gaining employment in this area include the undergraduate degree in Aboriginal Studies or Indigenous Sector Management both offered through Edith Cowan University , Murdoch University's Australian Indigenous Studies undergraduate degree; or the Indigenous Australian Cultural Studies undergraduate degree offered through Curtin University.

For further information about any of the courses listed, contact your preferred institution. Alternatively, you may like to check out the Universities website below.

	Universities
	Homepage links and contact details for all Universities in WA.

Department of Indigenous Affairs
PO Box 7770 Cloister's Square Perth WA 6850 Ph: (08) 9235 8000 Fax: (08) 9235 8088 URL: http://www.dia.wa.gov.au/

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