Staff from the Equal Opportunity Commission Office, Ombudsman WA, Health and Disability Services Complaints Office, Consumer Protection, and Aboriginal Legal Service worked together to provide community information sessions during the RAAP trip. In addition to these valuable ‘one stop shop’ sessions, each agency also takes the opportunity to deliver its own outreach and training in the area.
The EOC was represented by Acting Manager Strategy and Engagement Greg Watson and Senior Aboriginal Education and Conciliation Officer Stephen Goodall who visited several local organisations: Aboriginal Legal Service; Goldfields Community Legal Centre; Goldfields Aboriginal Language Centre; William Grundt Memorial Library; Eastern Goldfields Regional Prison (EGRP).
The RAAP agencies were given a tour of the EGRP that helped them develop an appreciation of how the facility functions in terms of accommodation, catering, health services, and education and vocational programs. They met with a group of prisoner peer volunteers and engaged in a Q&A session with prisoners to learn about issues important to them and to explain services available to prisoners from each of the participating agencies. The EGRP visit also allowed Greg and Stephen to discuss with the prison leadership team the programs it delivers and challenges facing prisoners as well as staff.
During the Seniors Connect session at the Goldfields Arts Centre Greg and Stephen had the chance to speak in a relaxed atmosphere with local seniors, providing information about the Commission’s services and inviting them to use the Commission’s enquiry service.
In reflecting on the Goldfields trip, Greg observed, ‘People experience equal opportunity, as well as discrimination and harassment, differently in part because of the physical locations in which they live and work. Participation in the RAAP allows the Commission to listen to people in the regions as they share their stories of this experience. It’s informative and gives an insight that is essential if we are to respond to people’s needs in an authentic manner and help them access the rights the Equal Opportunity Act 1984 provides the people of Western Australia, including those living and working in its regions.’
