Message from the Executive Director

It is with a sense of both respect and pride that I introduce the Cairns Catholic Education Community’s inaugural Reconciliation Action Plan 2020 – 2021: we respect the numerous communities of First Nations Peoples, past, present and emerging, who have lived and continue to live on and care for the lands, seas and waterways that are within the boundaries of our vast and diverse diocese; and, we are proud of the relationships that we have developed with our First Nations Peoples and the team that has reflected on those relationships to develop our Reconciliation Action Plan.

This plan outlines our commitment to reconciliation, ensuring the provision of culturally safe spaces to engage in respectful relationships based on principles of justice, equity, consultation, democracy, and respect for human dignity.

We honour the past in recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and their contribution to education since time immemorial. We inhabit the present and our commitment to addressing educational disparity in education and employment between First Nations and non-First Nations peoples. We imagine the future, where all come to respect, reflect, connect, and embrace the richness of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures, languages and spiritualities.

I commend the RAP Working Group in their commitment, and passion towards enabling shared commitment in our first Reconciliation Action Plan. The actions outlined in our RAP build shared understanding, shared accountability, and shared responsibility across our organisation. I thank Reconciliation Australia for their ongoing partnership and final endorsement of our RAP.

We look forward to embracing this Reconciliation Action Plan over the coming 12 months and our call to action.

Mr Bill Dixon 

Executive Director

Catholic Education Services –
Diocese of Cairns