Signing of historic ‘working with children’ agreement in Bourke

At the signing of Bourke’s new ‘working with children check’: at back in red shirts are ‘To Reach Your Potential’ (TRYP) Warriors – Adam Elliott (Gubbi Gubbi from Southeast Queensland and Uncle Ricky Young (Palawa from Tasmania). Middle row – Aunty Gertie Dorrigo Bourke Tribal Council, Beverley Moore from Maranguka’s Journey to Healing Women’s Group, Elizabeth Orcher Maranguka’s Director Save Our Sons Save Our Sisters. Front l-r: TRYP’s Uncle Col Watego Bundjalung (Northern Rivers), Lyiata Ballangary and Lola Marsh from Maranguka’s Intern Program. Photo TWH

On Tuesday 27 June, the NSW Children’s Guardian Steve Kinmond visited Bourke to sign an historic agreement with Maranguka to ensure that the ‘working with children’ check is implemented fairly in Bourke.

The Bourke Tribal Council, through Maranguka Community Hub, worked with the Office of the NSW Children’s Guardian to develop arrangements that give people who have had problems in their past the right to have their more recent history considered in decisions about whether they can work with children.

Mr Kinmond said that these arrangements, which put the safety of children first, will also allow people who have addressed past issues to be considered for work with children.

“Those who have demonstrated that they have the courage to effectively deal with their past problems can often be strong role models for children and young people,” Mr Kinmond said.

The agreement recognises the rights of individuals to make their own representations and allows ‘working with children’ check applicants to obtain references from Aboriginal community leaders in Bourke who can speak about the changes they have made to their lives.

Executive Director of Maranguka, Alister Ferguson, said that a meeting of the Bourke community in 2018 had identified several ‘systemic barriers’ for local people, including the barrier of the ‘working with children checks.

“We reached out to the Children’s Guardian about this issue of people having historical blemishes on their record,” Mr Ferguson said.

“As a result, we now have this breakthrough agreement which gives us the means of supporting people who wish to work with children, so I want to recognise the leadership of the Children’s Guardian Steve Kinmond.

Mr Kinmond said that this Bourke agreement could be used and adapted in other communities across New South Wales.

The new arrangements for the ‘working with children checks’ will be administered by the Maranguka Community Hub in Bourke.