2019 in review for the DPA

The Diversity Practitioners Association’s final event for 2019 is our Annual General Meeting where we summarised the year’s event and elected our new committee. Below is a copy of my President’s report: it was an absolute joy to reflect on the conversations and connections that made it a great year for our Association. Hope you enjoy the read! - Andrea

I am pleased to present the President’s report to the December 2019 Annual General Meeting of the Diversity Practitioners Association (DPA). This is our second AGM for 2019 as we aim to align our management committee renewals and reporting of business to the end of the calendar year. 

I’m proud to report the Diversity Practitioners Association held six events between March 2019 and December 2019:

·       A members’ roundtable on attraction and retention in masculine industries, kindly hosted by Anglo American. 

·       A workshop on the topic of flexible work focusing on how to shift sentiments to create cultural change. We heard from Lauren Milstead at the Department of Environment and Science, Michelle Elvy at BHP and Darrell Cox at Thiess on their experiences and learnings and flexible workers and advocates. Thanks to Cardno for hosting us at their Brisbane offices for this discussion. 

·       A members’ discussion on practical initiatives to support smooth parental leave transitions. U&U kindly shared their space with us for this discussion. 

·       A round-table discussion for members on tackling taboos, exploring the topics of privilege and toxic masculinity at work. Thanks to Thiess who hosted us. 

·       We proudly presented Banaam to deliver their powerful Cultural Intelligence Workshop. Thanks to Brisbane City Council who made their space available to us for this event.  

·       A showcase of diversity and inclusion initiatives from local organisations featuring work from Bilge Ozgun at Wesley Mission Queensland, Sally McGill from Coronado, Drew Maguire and LIFE-X at Suncorp and my own work at Energy Queensland, who kindly hosted us for this event. 

These events have collectively attracted more than 250 registrations and more than 1,500 event page views, demonstrating the ongoing desire amongst Brisbane’s diversity and inclusion change-makers to connect, learn and develop our practice. 

DPA members have continued to enjoy weekly installments of ‘Top 5’ diversity and inclusion related news items and access to the DPA’s online resource hub with research and case studies. 

Thanks goes to my fellow committee members who took on their roles with gusto and enthusiasm in 2019: Malcolm Barter, Emma Elder, Teagan Dowler, Bilge Ozgun and Sally Queitzsch. Our volunteer committee devotes time, expertise and passion in pursuit of DPA’s mission: to support individuals, organisations and practitioners actively seeking to build and sustain diverse and inclusive organisations.

the 2019 Diversity pRactitioners Association Management COMMITTEE

Special acknowledgment of Teagan Dowler, our outgoing Treasurer, who has been a steadfast contributor to DPA’s management committee since DPA’s inception and will take a break from the committee in 2020. Thanks also to Darren Hooper, DPA’s first President, for his continued contribution to the DPA Community via the weekly ‘Top 5’ content.

Thank you to our 2019 corporate sponsors/members: Cardno, Brisbane City Council, Kingston Human Capital and Australia’s CEO Challenge. The support of our sponsors enables the DPA to continue to operate and expand the reach of the expertise and network of Brisbane’s D&I change makers. 

Lastly and most of all: thanks to the Diversity Practitioners Association members whose knowledge, passion and drive sustains our community and is helping to change our world. Your association acknowledges the complexity and importance of what you do and looks forward to another year of progress in 2020. 

Andrea Smith
DPA President