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Always Was, Always Will Be.

NAIDOC week recognises that First Nations people have occupied and cared for this continent for over 65,000 years.

It is an opportunity for all Australians to come together to celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the oldest continuing cultures on the planet.

The theme of NAIDOC 2020, Always Was, Always Will Be, acknowledges that Australia’s story began long before documented European contact.

For the first time, under the Ambulance Victoria Enterprise Agreement 2020, members will have access to the following Cultural and Ceremonial Leave provisions:

69. CULTURAL AND CEREMONIAL LEAVE

69.1 NAIDOC Week Leave

a. An employee of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent is entitled to one day of paid leave per year to participate in National Aboriginal and Islander Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) week activities and events.

b. NAIDOC week leave will not accrue from year to year and will not be paid out on termination of the employment of the employee.

69.2 Leave to attend Aboriginal community meetings

The Employer may approve attendance during working hours by an employee of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent at any Aboriginal community meetings, except the Annual General Meetings of Aboriginal community organisations at which the election of office bearers will occur.

69.3 Leave to attend Annual General Meetings of Aboriginal community organisations

The Employer may grant an employee of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent accrued annual or other leave to attend Annual General Meetings of Aboriginal community organisations at which the election of office bearers will occur.

69.4 Ceremonial leave

a. Ceremonial leave may be granted to an employee of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent for ceremonial purposes:

(i) connected with the death of a member of the immediate family or extended family (provided that no employee will have an existing entitlement reduced as a result of this clause); or

(ii) for other ceremonial obligations under Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander lore.

b. Where ceremonial leave is taken for the purposes outlined in clause 69.4(a), up to three days in each year of employment will be with pay. Paid ceremonial leave will not accrue from year to year and will not be paid out on termination of the employment of the employee.

The Victoria Ambulance Union Incorporated (VAU) is proud to see this important workplace right delivered to our AV members in the new enterprise agreement.

If members have queries about accessing these provisions please feel free to contact the VAU at [email protected].

In solidarity