Janine Young, Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW
In the wake of the 2023 referendum result, I made a commitment to myself and to EWON to work even harder towards achieving reconciliation, recognition, truth, treaty and voice. For National Reconciliation Week, I have decided to share this commitment as the theme, Now More Than Ever, reminds all of us that who are committed to reconciliation, that our work with First Nations communities must be strongly continued.
National Reconciliation Week reminds all Australians that our lives will be richer if we learn more about 65,000 years of Australia’s culture, land and water conservation, storytelling, music, and dancing. Equally important is that we learn about, and in turn address, the ongoing impacts of generational trauma. It is only through doing all of this, that we will walk as one in the future.
EWON continues to work towards reconciliation including:
- launching our Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan in coming months.
- the introduction in 2023 of a dedicated phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander customers who choose to self-identify.
- continuing our long standing First Nations outreach program led by Kerry Walker, our Aboriginal Community Engagement Officer.
- our kit-out sponsorship of the Narromine Little Athletics Club introduced to us by Lynda Edwards, Financial Counselling Australia and 2023 NSW Aboriginal of the Year to help support Narromine’s youngsters to keep active which may have decreased because of cost of living pressures.
The generosity First Nations communities extend to non-Indigenous Australians inspiring. Now More Than Ever, we need to return this generosity and continue working towards reconciliation.
Janine Young
Ombudsman and Chief Executive Officer
