Cultural Awareness Training

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Let us support your journey to build your cultural awareness

VACCA’s Cultural Awareness Training is designed to provide participants with an introduction to Aboriginal history and culture in Victoria, and an increased understanding of the effects of colonisation, grief and loss on our people. 

Developed and delivered by our expert Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultural Facilitators, our training is appropriate for anyone wanting to know more about Aboriginal history and cultures and how to best support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It is particularly relevant for people in the community services sector who support vulnerable Aboriginal children, young people, families and colleagues. 

We are proud of our incredible 65,000 years of stories, traditions and culture, and are committed to strengthening the understanding of Aboriginal history.  

We look forward to sharing our culture with you. 

‘It was the most informative workshop I have undertaken.’ 


Our training packages

Looking for something specific for your learning and development? Chat with our team today! Our experienced team of facilitators are able to tailor workshops to meet diverse learning and engagement needs. Email trainingevents@vacca.org.

Are you an individual looking to grow your cultural awareness? We now have individual sessions available! Click here for more information. 

Cultural Awareness Training: Introduction to working with Aboriginal Peoples and Communities

Our one-day Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Training provides participants with introductory knowledge of Aboriginal culture in Victoria and respectful ways of working with Aboriginal clients, consumers, partners and colleagues. 

  • Duration – one-day course (7 hours) 
  • Delivery –  available online or face to face
  • Location – online, on-site at your workplace or at an alternative location, as agreed
  • Participants – 10-30 participants 
  • Facilitators – 2 VACCA-trained Cultural Facilitators
  • Resources – Cultural Awareness Training Learning Guide (provided prior to the workshop)

Content

This introductory workshop will cover topics and themes including: 

  • language, protocols and appropriation
  • Aboriginal life before & after colonisation 
  • Stolen Generations, trauma and healing 
  • the harm caused by privilege, bias and stereotypes 
  • understanding Aboriginal culture today
  • creating culturally safe spaces for Aboriginal people.

Our sessions include presentations, video content, experiential activities and guided discussion. We encourage questions and provide opportunities for reflection. 

Outcomes

Following our training participants will have: 

  • greater awareness and understanding of Aboriginal history and culture in Victoria
  • cultural protective factors, including an appreciation of Aboriginal kinship and family structures
  • insight into the Stolen Generations and ongoing trauma
  • understanding of how colonisation continues to affect Aboriginal people today
  • awareness of how to engage respectfully with Aboriginal people
  • motivation to learn more about Aboriginal culture.

Evaluation

All participants will be asked to complete an evaluation form after completing this workshop. Responses will be collated and a post-workshop summary will be provided to the organisation.

‘The educators were really knowledgeable and kind.’ 


Our previous partners and clients

We support the learning and development needs of many child and family welfare workers across Victoria. We have current training partnerships with: 

  • Berry Street
  • MacKillop
  • Anglicare
  • Centre for Excellence in Child and Family Welfare 

We have also delivered training to organisations such as: 

  • Victoria Police 
  • Women’s Legal Service 
  • Benalla Health 
  • Forensicare 

‘Presented information in a way that allowed for reflection

and learning without judgement.’ 


Contact and booking

To find out more about our Cultural Awareness Training and to book now, complete the booking form below or email: trainingevents@vacca.org

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this website may contain images, voices or names of deceased persons in photographs, film, audio recordings or printed material. To listen to our Acknowledgement of Country, click here.