News archives
April 2011
Cross Cultural Consultants have had a very busy start to 2011 and have continued restructuring our focus on the delivery of cross cultural services into Indigenous environments. John Jablonka has continued to focus on his international work and is now trading as Cross Cultural Consultants International Development.
Jason is heavily involved with the Closing the Gap program with the NTPS. He is the Trainer/Mentor for Indigenous people entering the NT Public Service under their Indigenous Recruitment program. His Public Sector colleague is Ms Wendy Moulds. He is also continuing his relationship with the Indigenous Leadership program managed by FaHCSIA. He is shortly to deliver workshops in Numbulwar, Lajamanu and Mutijulu. Jason has recently returned from Indonesia where he took the opportunity to look at the parallels between Balinese and Indigenous cultures and to explore the opportunities for projects in the region.
Phil is still working fairly intensely in Groote Eylandt and is currently conducting Cross Cultural training course for the Anindilyakwa Land Council and GEMCo (BHP Billiton) on a weekly basis. He is also still developing the Sea Cucumber Ranching project at Bartalumba/Deception Bay in partnership with local Traditional Owners, and this project should commence by June 2011. Phil is currently working with the NT Stolen Generation Aboriginal Corporation to develop their Strategic Plan.
Brian Erickson is really busy at the moment. He has been to China and has come back with some interesting experiences. He is delivering the ITEC Mentoring project in Alice Springs, Tennant Creek, Katherine, Nhulunbuy and Darwin. He is also running a series of Walking in Two Worlds programs with a focus on Youth in Maningrida, Gunbalanyah, Milingimbi and Ngukurr over the next few months. He will be attending a workshop in Bali in August.
Oceana our web page and IT person is back in Darwin at the moment. She is still studying for her degree but has decided to go external for a while. She is off to Melbourne in August and then New Zealand.
November 2010
Hi everyone, here is the latest from all the folks at Cross Cultural Consultants. For the last six months we have been busily expanding and getting our feelers out into various communities and sectors in the search for new and exciting work opportunities. Here is the result of this exploration. We have made some changes in our business structure, splitting the international and domestic units. John Jablonka is now heading up the international section, and you can see what he’s been doing here. He is currently working in the Pacific. Jason has been extremely busy with projects throughout Australia. He is currently heavily involved in the Indigenous Leadership program as a facilitator, and is finding the work very rewarding as you can see from the photos. This work has taken him to Cairns, Adelaide, Laynapuy Homelands, Yilparra Outstation and Numbulwar. |
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Phil has been working extensively at Groote Eylandt in the SIHIP program and assisting the community in creating business ventures. He has also been working with the Northern Territory Stolen Generation Aboriginal Corporation on a strategic plan to move their organization forward in achieving its goals. Some of the projects that Cross Cultural Consultants has been involved in over the last 6 months include:
Our hospitality contract has come to an end and we are pursuing the new opportunities that this has created. We’ve been getting great feedback from the sector about our Cross Cultural Training Sessions and anticipate more work in the future. Speaking of the future, we have a big year ahead in 2011 with four more Indigenous Employment Programs to be selected into the Northern Territory Government Public Service. |
March 2010
Well folks March truly is flying past us, and we are along for the ride!
This month, we have Phil and Jason off to Townsville to deliver a follow up workshop Centrelink after a workshop they conducted last year.
This half-day workshop aims to build on the previous workshop's skills and strategies, with a particular focus on assisting participants understanding of the impacts of youth, homelessness and mental health issues for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities. The workshop will provide a safe space for participants to share and develop, skills and strategies to examine the impacts/experiences on both individuals and families, how they may present and ways in which we can better engage, communicate and work with individuals, families and their communities.
It will help Employees develop an understanding of how families are constructed and maintained and the impact contemporary living has on the maintenance of relationships. Traditional and Contemporary models of Indigenous emotional and mental well-being will be discussed and analysed in terms of their influence on contemporary life.
In addition to this, Cross Cultural consultants were successful with the DBE Tender to deliver Cross Cultural Training Sessions across all departments within the Northern Territory Public Service. The first round of courses will start in early April and continue on for a period of 3 years. The NT Government recognise the value and importance of enhancing the cross cultural competencies of throughout all departments, and we are pleased to be a part of this change and look forward to working collaboratively with all departments and their valued staff members.
The training sessions are to be delivered across four main areas of employment; Orientation, Frontline and Staff Systems, Middle Management (Frontline Service Delivery) and Middle Management (Staff Systems)
And in an exciting development, Cross Cultural Consultants has been granted funding under the Indigenous Employment Panel and is working in partnership with CHARTTES Training Advisory Council.
We will run a series of workshops with Darwin Hospitality employers in order to support employers in their commitment to increase their Indigenous workforce. The workshops will include Working with Cultural Differences sessions and sessions that will facilitate the development of internal mentors and mentoring programs for interested employers.
These support services delivered by Cross Cultural Consultants are part of an Employment project delivered by Karen Sheldon Catering (KSC). KSC will be delivering a pre-employment course, employment placement and 26 weeks post-placement mentoring for 230 Indigenous job seekers.
This looks to be a very intense but rewarding month for all involved here, and we will keep you updated as the month progresses.
February 2010
Cross Cultural Consultants continues to put into action our vision of tapping into diverse cultures as a key to effective development.
As a new content partner with the Australian Development Gateway CCC will be sharing ideras, contacts, resources and experiences in working across cultures through monthly contributions to the gateway. Keep a look out at http://www.developmentgateway.com.au/jahia/jsp/index.jsp for some interesting knowledge sharing.
Our public course calendar for 2010 is now available here bringing a series of courses to the sectors we work in. This includes both one day Introduction to Working with Cultural Difference (Indigenous context) and two day Working Well Overseas and Working Across Cultures (International context) courses. The map below shows locations of these Public Courses and more information is available on the calendar or you can email us.
In other news, the Indigenous Employment Panel project in the Tiwi Islands is due to commence in March. Through this project we will build the capacity of local house parents and residential managers at Tiwi College in Melville Island.
An exciting association has begun with Victoria University's Graduate Program in International Community Development, in the School of Social Science and Psychology, Faculty of Arts, Education and Human Development. CCC will collaborate on participatory research examining the effectiveness of cross cultural training and will work on designing and delivering a unique intensive Cross cultural communication course for students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
December 2009
The year is drawing rapidly to a close, but it has certainly been a productive year for all at Cross Cultural Consultants. We have numerous projects in development for next year and we are saying goodbye to some very interesting projects that will be finishing this year.
The Indigenous Workforce Development Strategy for the Hospitality sector is one of the projects drawing to a close. We have developed tools and help sheets for this project and everything is currently on track. The Workforce Development Strategy for Sport and Recreation is also progressing well. It is now at the point where it will be circulated to the shires for their comment and input.
The Indigenous Employment Panel for the Tiwi Islands in which we are working to develop the capacity of local people to become residential managers of the Tiwi College has been supported by DEEWR (Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations). Our partners in this project are ITEC Employment and CAAPS, and funds are being provided by Department of Education and Training and DEEWR.
SIHIP (Strategic Indigenous Housing and Infrastructure Program) is also beginning to accelerate and requests are now coming in for work in 2010 in four communities across the Northern Territory.
In closing our recent news updates for the year we would like to wish everyone a safe and happy holiday season. We will see you all next year!
November 2009
Our training manager, John Jablonka, presented a pre-forum Working Across Cultures workshop at the Antares annual forum on 12 November 2009. Participants examined the cultural factors that impacted on the development workers and shared practical strategies for tapping into the strengths of diverse cultures to maximise program effectiveness. |
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October 2009
In October we have been working on an Indigenous Employment Project in the Tiwi Islands to build the capacity of local people to become residential managers/house parents at the local college.
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Our Training Manager John Jablonka has been involved in some exciting work in Tonga and Vanuatu between May and July of this year delivering Train-the-trainer programs on behalf of AusAID to Government and NGO staff. The program developed capacity through sharing participatory education methods for modules in Culture, Gender, Communication and Teamwork. These trainers will go on to provide Predeparture briefings for Australia’s Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme. To follow this successful training, we are pleased to announce that we have secured a contract to do some similar work in Kiribati.
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September 2009
In September Cross Cultural Consultants visited Canberra to attend the launch of the Australian Public Service Commission's (APSC) Capability Development Panel. Through the Panel, the APSC provides a national, coordinated suite of leadership, learning and development programs, events and services available to all Government agencies as well as NGOs, and state and local government.
Cross Cultural Consultants is now listed on this panel to provide:
- Design and Delivery of Learning programs,
- Mediation and dispute resolution services ,
- Coaching Services
- Leadership Development in the areas of strategic thinking, integrity, teamwork and communication.
Our specialist services in the area of stakeholder engagement with culturally diverse communities can strengthen the capability of the Commonwealth to achieve its objectives of social inclusion and effective service delivery. For further information on this email us or visit the APSC website here.
August 2009 August has been a busy and exciting month for us here at Cross Cultural Consultants. We held the first week of Walking in Two Worlds courses in Maningrida for men and women. Trainers Brian Erikson and Maxine Lequimener facilitated these. This was Maxine’s first facilitation of this type of course, she had this to say about her group:
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“The Women's Walking in Two Worlds course in Maningrida was exciting and fun. The participants were keen to learn and showed thinking outside the square in terms business networks within the community and job opportunities. We organised a Culture Day at the school which was a great success, it was wonderful to see indigenous men and women come and teach traditional cooking. The mud clams they made were delicious” You can learn more about the Walking in Two Worlds course here and you can read more about our fantastic trainers here.
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July 2009 In July the Cross Cultural Constants team came together in Darwin to continue with our strategic planning process and to welcome our new members into the group. The team that gathered reflects both the continuing growth of the organisation and the diverse nature of our work. We also had a chance to talk with some of our IT smart associates and the future is certainly looking exciting for Cross Cultural Consultants' dreams of expanding online and reaching an even wider audience. |
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We would also like to welcome two new members into the Cross Cultural Consultants family, Maxine Lequemener and Mahi Kahasha. If you want to know more about them a short biography of them and all of our other team members is available here. The introduction of Maxine and Mahi to the training team has been made possible by our successful tendering for the Indigenous Employment Panel (IEP), the Australian Public Service Leadership and Development Panel (APSC), our inclusion on the Indigenous Leadership Effectiveness Group Panel, and our continuing expansion nationally and internationally. The three days were highly productive and were such a positive exercise that we plan to make it an annual event. The location for the next team gathering is currently being discussed among our management members. At the moment Ho Chi Minh City looks good. |
February 2009
Cross Cultural Consultants' programs are busier than ever this year.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cross Cultural Training programs - Introduction to Working with Cultural Difference - are being delivered in Cairns, Darwin and Alice Springs and for a range of clients including NT Departments of Chief Minister, Housing, Justice, Planning and Infrastructure, Charles Darwin University, Centrelink, Outback Stores, BHP Billiton, Mission Australia, and the Anindilyakwan Land Council.
Walking In Two Worlds is being delivered in Cairns, Yarrabah, Darwin, Katherine, Alice Springs for clients as diverse as Charttes (NT Tourism Industry), Mission Australia, and ITEC.
Following the successful collaboration with Mission Australia Training Institute to customise the program for indigenous workforce entry participants, Cross Cultural Consultants is proud to offer the Certificate 1 in Work Preparation incorporating our successful cross cultural training program Walking In Two Worlds. The Certificate 1 can be provided as a generic program or tailored to industry specific contexts including horticulture, mining, tourism and hospitality, and administration.
Working Well Overseas is being provided to Whole of Government Deployees to PNG, Solomon Islands and Indonesia, GRM International program staff and public participants. Working Across Cultures continues to be delivered for the Australian National Audit Office's twinning program and has been customised for AusAID's Learning and Development branch for delivery to AusAID staff both in Australia and at post. This innovative program incorporates a unit on Indigenous Cross Cultural Training to support AusAID's Reconciliation Action Plan.
More Facilitation workshops will be held in March 2009 and a new Advanced Facilitation workshop will enable past participants to explore this area more fully and refine skills and tools for facilitating in a range of settings.
September 2008
Cross Cultural Consultants' Brian Erickson has been working with Mission Australia Training Institute to develop an innovative training package titled 'Working By Culture'. This customises Certificate 1 in Work Preparation for Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander participants by integrating it with Walking in Two Worlds - Cross Cultural Consultants' unique cross cultural training course. The course will be delivered during October and November 2008 in a number of NT communities.
AusAID recently engaged Cross Cultural Consultants' John Jablonka to contribute to development of an Induction Syllabus for advisors under the PNG Strongim Gavman Program (SGP). During Sept - December 2008 John Jablonka, Cross Cultural Consultants' training manager is providing input on Cross Cultural and Capacity Building components while John and Stephen Williams continue to deliver pre departure briefing programs to SGP Advisors.
Thanks heaps to Annie Sloman, our recent RAYAD intern who shared her enthusiasm, ideas and creative input and assisted with facilitation and training design and delivery during August 2008. Annie also left a resources database to guide course design and development. Terima Kasih and Selamat Jalan to Annie on her return to Jogjakarta.
Groote Eylandt continues to be a home away from home for Phil Elsegood, Cross Cultural Consultants' tireless Director. With close networks and a long history of experience there, Phil works with longtime trainers Grant and Nancy to deliver training and build cross cultural capacity with the mine, the resort, the Anindilyalwa land council and others. Cross Cultural Consultants' trainers continue to deliver weekly Cross Cultural Training in Cairns, each Thursday - a compulsory prerequisite for staff sent to work on the mine expansion.
August 2008
There is currently much discussion of appropriate education and training for Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander people. Cross Cultural Consultants has been working in this area for a number of years and have some interesting resources and programs. Have a look at some recent activities or contact us for more information.
Welcome to Annie Sloman - former Youth Ambassador who is undertaking an internship with Cross Cultural Consultants from 4-29 August 2008 - we look forward to sharing skills and ideas and exploring new possibilities for cross cultural training drawing on your experiences in Timor Leste and Indonesia and our local and international work.
Look for John Jablonka -Cross Cultural Consultants' training manager - who will be presenting at the AIIAV fourth annual International Careers Conference at Storey Hall, RMIT University on Friday 29 August 2008
For those in Melbourne interested in our Working Well Overseas program - come along to the course on 27-28 August at Engineers Without Borders rooms in South Melbourne. For details email info@cccnt.com.au
June 2008
Welcome to Braiden Phillip Elsegood - the newest member of the dynasty!
Well Done to Jason and John for delivering the marathon 20 day "Walking in Two Worlds / Harvesting the Future" Certificate 1 in Community Services program in Alice Springs to over 20 participants from 4 Central Desert communities - Apatula, Kaltukajara, Imanpa and Mutitjulu. Big thanks to all who went the distance and especially to Jo Hawkins for her hard work and support throughout.
A feature of this program was the use of digital photography as a learning tool. Check out participants work on different cultures' views of time.
Well done to Phil who clocked up many miles and many hours of training over the last month - he may have broken a Cross Cultural Consultants record for days of back to back training.
Another new item on this website is the case study of innovative strategic planning.
Current training contracts include regular cross cultural training throughout 2008 for SGP advisors to PNG, Outback Stores Managers, NT Government Department of Justice staff, the Groote Eylandt Mine expansion (to both its operators Gemco and contractors Dawsons and Worley Parsons).
April 2008
This exciting new website has been developed by John Twyman who has been patient, thorough, good humoured and innovative throughout the long process. (3 cheers for the man!). Hope you find it helpful and agree it was worth the wait!
Speaking of waiting, Marissa is about to have her 3rd baby but that isn't stopping her usual super efficiency looking after Cross Cultural Consultants' accounts, course bookings and logistics. We're all very excited, especially Jason!
Cross Cultural Consultants is currently providing pro bono support on governance development to the National Stolen Generation Alliance. Phil Elsegood, Director of Cross Cultural Consultants is the honorary co-chair of the organisation.
Introduction to Working with Cultural Difference is being held monthly in Darwin and in April will be held in Alice Springs too. For details check out our Calendar page.
Jason has been delivering a regular series of half day workshops to the NT Department of Justice who will have all their staff completing this introductory Cross Cultural Training in 2008.
John and Deb are currently delivering Working Well Overseas and Working Across Cultures to public sector staff involved in the PNG / Australia Enhanced Cooperation Program. (ECP) in association with Coffey International Development's deployees service unit in Canberra.
Working Effectively With Communities - Stage 2 of Cross Cultural Consultants' Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cross Cultural Training - is offered 4 times a year and gives participants in depth understanding of kinship, networking and communication through intensive sessions with Yolngu and other indigenous educators. Participants and trainers also share and assess strategies for effective community engagement, development and culturally appropriate participation.
Jason and John are currently working with Territory Housing to develop their Community Engagement strategies for implementing Remote Housing Reform.
Walking in Two Worlds - Cross Cultural Consultants' unique cross cultural training program for indigenous people seeking better tools for working with others, has been delivered in Boroloola, the Tiwi Islands and Darwin. It includes dynamic new activities to explore cross cultural issues about wealth, conflict, relationships, goals and participation using arts, film, board games and experiential learning.
An extended program will be delivered as part of a major project in May 2008 when Jason and John facilitate a 3-week program in Alice involving about 30 remote trainees in partnership with Mission Australia. The program aims to develop the community sector workforce in indigenous communities in the Central Desert region and includes field visits to agencies as well as intensive learning and development activities.
Phil, Deb and John delivered a well received program on Cross Cultural Effectiveness at the VIDA Pre departure training held in Adelaide in early February to over 30 volunteers heading to Asia and the Pacific.
Van Nguyen ran a one day Debrief Workshop for VIDA volunteers in Sydney in early February affirming the value of sharing lessons learnt and reflecting on the experience for ongoing learning and development.
Phil has worked closely with the Strategic Intervention Housing Infrastructure Program (SIHIP) to design a Community Engagement framework and approach.
Dec 2007
CCC recently delivered 2 one-day customised cross cultural communication workshops for the NT Child Abuse Task force on interviewing Aboriginal Children.
John delivered a 1 day workshop on Mentoring skills and tools for the AYAD Alumni State Representatives in Melbourne.
Jason delivered Walking in 2 Worlds in Boroloola.
Balunu Foundation (http://www.balunu.org.au) has engaged Jason to assist with their healing programs for Aboriginal young people.
September 2007
Cross Cultural Consultants delivered another exciting Cross Cultural Effectiveness program to over 30 volunteers departing on the VIDA program.
Cross Cultural Consultants hosted Chris Piper’s Torqaid PPM workshop in September 2007 with 23 participants including 7 from Caritas Australia Timor Leste. ‘Obrigado Bara’ to Chris, Jose, Nita, and all the participants in the PPM who made this cross cultural experience extremely valuable.
John Jablonka and Deb Hall developed some innovative distance learning materials to prepare deployees for the AusReady facility which assigns Advisors from the Australian Health and related Sectors to the Asia Pacific on short term assignments to ensure preparedness for pandemics and health crises. Topics covered by the materials included:
- Cross Cultural Effectiveness
- Working in Conflict Affected Societies
- Capacity Development, and
- Evaluation and Reporting.