WORK is underway to set the blueprint for the next three years at Mallee District Aboriginal Services (MDAS).
MDAS said it continued to focus on rebuilding trust and integrity in the local Aboriginal health organisation after a tumultuous year.
In December 2019, Victoria’s Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) raided the MDAS Mildura offices and launched an investigation – which is still under way – in response to “a range of allegations about corruption and misconduct”.
Four months later, then chief Rudolph Kirby resigned after admitting to sexually assaulting a woman in a Mildura nightclub in March.
MDAS said the three-year strategic plan sought to put the organisation back at the heart of Mallee communities.
“We’ve done some heavy lifting over many months to re-set the direction of MDAS to make sure our organisation is focused on delivering its core business, which is delivering services aimed at closing the gap in our community,” MDAS chairman Damien Murray said.
“Now, it’s time to continue to work with our mobs and staff members and develop a strong plan for the future.
“Over the coming weeks we will be yarning with community members about our strategic plan to make sure the people we serve understand the direction we are headed in.
“Importantly, we will also be having conversations with our staff members to involve them in the plan so they understand what their role is and how they can actively implement the key strategic initiatives.”
Mr Murray said the MDAS board had undertaken foundational work to structure the plan, setting a new vision, mission and values for the organisation.
“At the heart of all this is the vision: ‘self-determined, healthy, robust and culturally strong Aboriginal communities across the Mallee region’,” he said.
MDAS chief executive officer Jacki Turfrey said community and staff input into the plan was critical in order to reflect community voice and support.
“Talking to our mobs and staff members about the future plans for MDAS is also about being transparent and accountable,” she said.
“We want MDAS to truly serve our people, and we can only do that if we make sure we are providing the services our community wants, in the way they want.
“Our community and staff members are the only ones who can tell us this and we are listening.”
