OUR VISION AND MISSION

Our Vision: Generations of vibrant, healthy and strong Aboriginal communities

Our values

Mallee District Aboriginal Services embraces four values.  These values drive our culture, are central to how we make decisions and ensure services are delivered in a socially-responsible way.

Optimism

We will demonstrate optimism for the future of people requesting our services and will help people to achieve positive lifestyle outcomes by empowering people to take control over their lives.

Community

We will always make sure the community is central to everything we do. We are committed to the ongoing involvement and engagement of the community in the design and development of all our programs and services. The community’s needs are pivotal and will always drive our service.

Respect for Culture

We will take action to provide services that are inclusive of Aboriginal people and support their strong cultural connections. We will give recognition, protection and provide continued advancement of the inherent rights, cultures and traditions of Aboriginal people.

Compassion

We respect all people as individuals and we will be empathetic in understanding people’s pasts and the issues and challenges they face. We will show no judgement in the choices people have made and will actively work with people to assist in their healing process.

Our Code of Ethics

People working with and for Mallee District Aboriginal Services are expected to follow the MDAS Code of Ethics, which demonstrates the following behaviours:

Integrity

Integrity is about the meaning or intent behind your actions.

• Act honestly when performing your duties.
• Serve the community impartially and professionally in accordance with the direction of the corporation.
• Declare and appropriately manage interests that may conflict with the way you carry out your duties. This includes outside employment and remunerative work.
• Prevent nepotism and patronage.
• Do not accept gifts, benefits or favours that may influence or be reasonably seen to influence your decision making.
• Undertake all selection processes on merit.
• Conduct yourself in public in a manner that will not reflect adversely on MDAS, its Board or employees.

Respect

Respect is about how you treat other people. You must show consideration for other people in your service delivery, advice and decision making

• Treat the community, Elders, the Board and MDAS employees with respect and courtesy, having regard for the dignity of the people with whom you interact.
• Recognise the importance of people through training and development.
• Promote equity.
• Prevent unlawful discrimination, bullying and harassment in or outside of the workplace.
• Take reasonable care to ensure your own health and safety at work and avoid adversely affecting the health and safety of others.
• Promote and model healthy choices and MDAS health promotion initiatives.

Accountability

• Utilise and manage resources (including people, information and authority) in an efficient, responsible and accountable manner.
• Ensure decisions have regard for the well-being of people and the environment, both now and for the future.
• Ensure all decisions are transparent and in keeping with confidentiality requirements.
• Observe all legislative requirements, policies, procedures, and lawful reasonable instructions, from people with authority to give instructions.
• Monitor your own work and that of others that you supervise in order to maximise efficiency and achieve performance outcomes.
• Take ownership and be accountable for reporting inappropriate conduct to the appropriate authority.