The Meeting point
Transform your allyship to walk together for a better future
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We acknowledge Traditional Custodians and all First Peoples’ of the lands on which we live,
and the pathways to Voice, Truth and Treaty.
Always was, always will be Aboriginal lands.
Learn with us to contribute to an enduring transformation of allyship.
How do non-Indigenous Australians walk with First Nations peoples for a better future? What is our work to do ?
The Meeting Point is an initiative like no other. We believe to respond to the Uluru Statement we need to do our own work as non-Indigenous people. We must understand our own stories and relationships to people and places. Embrace our obligations and responsibilities living here. It is from this place that we can begin to practice enduring allyship. And walk with First Nations peoples for a better future, together.
Together, we will challenge our cultural stories and our role in them, and explore new stories of relationships to place, people and traditional lands. As we do so, we centre First Nations content, speakers and practises.
We will ask you to courageously and actively engage with family, friends, colleagues, and communities as you develop new ways of understanding. We will explore experiences of allyship that support First Nations leadership. We will question the time we are living in - ecologically, politically and socially - and what this requires of us.
Learning with First Nations peoples and non-Indigenous allies, and working in different group configurations, The Meeting Point will support one another's learning, and continue into a community of allyship.
(& to hear when applications open for 2025)
Your commitment
orientation
Participate in a 90 min onboarding conversation to orient you to The Meeting Point
Discussion in the week commencing 8th July 2024 on Zoom
Development
Three face to face days using experiential learning practices.
Day 1: Fri 19 July, Koori Heritage Trust, Narrm
Day 2: Fri 16 August, CERES, Merri Creek
Day 3: Fri 20 Sept, Wadawurrung, Mount Rothwell
(& to hear when applications open for 2025)
changemaking
Three online sessions to apply & practice your learning.
Session 1: 7.30 - 9.00 pm, Tues 1 Oct
Session 2: 7.30 - 9.00 pm, Tues 22 Oct
Session 3: 7.30 - 9.00 pm, Tues 12 Nov
Who we are.
The Meeting Point has been developed by Lisa Croxford and Angela Rutter, in conversation and collaboration with First Nations peoples and non-Indigenous allies.
Lisa and Angela have worked together at Leadership Victoria designing and facilitating experiential leadership programs which build civic leadership capacity and elevate First Nations voices, perspectives, and knowledge. Angela participated in the Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity (2021) with the University of Melbourne and Atlantic Institute, where the development of The Meeting Point was the focus for her Masters in Social Change Leadership.
Andrew Keen,
fellow of Williamson Community Leadership Program
Lisa and Ang are courageous, impactful, insightful, curious, kind, and brilliant. An opportunity to learn and grow with them is highly recommended.
Our experience.
Ang
- Background in environmental and social change focussing on climate change, nature and community engagement
- Understanding of local, regional and global civic leadership and movement building including The Climate Reality Project & Allies for Uluru
- Expertise in social change leadership including Masters in Social Change Leadership & global Atlantic Fellow
- Creator and facilitator of experiences that change people including Williamson Community Leadership Program
- You can view my LinkedIn profile here
Lisa
- Background in law focussing on human rights and justice
- Deep understanding of people, organisations and systems and ICF Accredited Coach
- Expertise in leadership and its practise from Harvard Kennedy School
- Creator and facilitator of learning experiences that change people including Williamson Community Leadership Program
- You can view my LinkedIn profile here
(& to hear when applications open for 2025)
From those who know us.
Mark Costello, Manager with a Traditional Owner Corporation
Two of the most outstanding humans I know coming together on the most important of business. Strongly encourage people wanting to be deliberate, conscious allies in response to self-determination for First Nations Peoples and to the Uluru Statement from the Heart to explore this further. They've certainly supported me to clarify my purpose and how to do something about this in the most meaningful of ways
Sarah Anderson, Director,
Policy & Research, Humanability
I couldn’t think of two more driven, thoughtful, empathetic people to bring people together as allies. To drive the change that we can make as non-indigenous people and reduce or help carry the cultural load for those whose continued work can not be done alone. What a wonderful ripple
(& to hear when applications open for 2025)
Nicole Baker
Associate Principal, Arup
I know these two amazing people. This program will be a rare and wonderful opportunity for non-Indigenous people to learn, reflect and to step into our collective responsibilities living here on this land, and walking alongside First Peoples. Maybe this is for you?
Your investment.
The cost for participation in The Meeting Point is $1,500 plus GST.
You will be responsible for your own transport and food on the face to face days.
We have a principle of equity of access. If the cost of participation is not affordable for you, but you feel the program will be of real benefit, please contact us at hello@themeetingpoint.net to discuss how you might participate. Similarly if you are able to contribute more because of your means, please get in touch.
In 2024, you will be a part of the inaugural group for The Meeting Point. Our aim is for this round of the program to break even so that the impact of The Meeting Point might then be assessed and consideration given to future groups. All venues and contributors are being paid for their contributions. Angela and Lisa are donating their time and receive no financial compensation.
(& to hear when applications open for 2025)
“The places
where different worlds meet
Can be places of connection
Enrichment and transformation”
“Futures” by Ambelin Kwaymullina, Living on Stolen Land
Thanks and deep appreciation.
This pilot of The Meeting Point is made possible with the generous support of First Nations and non-Indigenous peoples including the Atlantic Fellows for Social Equity and Atlantic Institute, The Meeting Point Advisory Group, Karen Milward, Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, and People Measures, in helping shape and evaluate this initiative. This initiative has emerged from provocations offered by the Uluru Statement from the Heart and Ambelin Kwaymullina’s Living on Stolen Land, and First Nations and non-Indigenous change-makers who hold in their hearts, minds and hopes a different vision for our future, together.
Join our mailing list here:
You can find us here:
hello@themeetingpoint.net