Innovate

Reconciliation

Action Plan

July 2019 – July 2021

1

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan July 2019 – July 2021

The images and

representations of

art installation used throughout this

document are taken from a permanent

installation at Sunvale Community Park in

Sunshine. Council is honoured to represent

Wurundjeri culture at the Sunvale

Community Park through the work of these

artworks. These artworks are a reflection

of our community’s feedback to contain

links to local Aboriginal history and culture

within the park, which opened in 2018.

Local Aboriginal artists Mandi Barton and

Lee-Anne Clarke created the artworks,

under the guidance of Wurundjeri Elders.

The works represent the five universal

elements of traditional Wurundjeri culture.

More information about the artwork is

located at the end of this document.

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan July 2019 – July 2021

2

Acknowledgements

Brimbank City Council respectfully acknowledges and recognises the Kulin Nation including the

Wurundjeri, Bunurong and Boon Wurrung Peoples as the Traditional Owners of this land and

waterways and pays respect to their Elders past, present and future. For the Traditional Owners the

lands in the City of Brimbank have always been a significant trading and meeting place.

Council also acknowledges local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents of Brimbank and their

Elders for their ongoing contribution to the diverse culture of our community and their contribution

to the development of the Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP).

Council would like to acknowledge the support and input of the following organisations who have

contributed to the development of its second Reconciliation Action Plan: Reconciliation Australia,

Reconciliation Victoria, Wurundjeri Land and Compensation Cultural Heritage Council, Boon Wurrung

Foundation, Bunurong Land Council, Maribyrnong Local Aboriginal Network, the Western Region

Local Government Reconciliation Network, Western Health, Victoria University Moondani Balluk,

Brimbank Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Reconciliation Action Plan Consultative Committee,

Karen Milward Consulting and the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

3

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan July 2019 – July 2021

Left: Mandi Barton Right: Lee-Anne Clarke

local Aborginal Artist, fire element, Sunvale Park

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan July 2019 – July 2021

4

Mayor’s Message

It is with great honour that I present the Brimbank

City Council’s second Reconciliation Action Plan

(RAP) (2019-21). The plan was developed in

consultation with Traditional Owner groups, the

Brimbank Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

Consultative Committee, and local Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander peoples. The plan seeks to

strengthen Council’s role in facilitating a whole

of-community approach to reconciliation. We

understand that our reconciliation journey requires

strong leadership and a willingness to listen,

acknowledge and lead positive change. Council

commits to celebrating the histories, cultures and

positive achievements of Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander peoples, while implementing

meaningful actions outlined in the RAP.

This RAP builds on our experiences from the first

RAP across a number of symbolic and practical

initiatives. We have made steady progress in

some areas; however we also acknowledge there

are areas where progress has been slower. This

Innovate RAP will build on our progress and our

learnings toward an ongoing environment where

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents and

stakeholders needs are addressed and they are fully

engaged in Councils activities.

Council supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander peoples’ right to self-determination and we

are committed to increasing our cultural awareness,

determined to create opportunities and to improve

our services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

peoples.

Council’s Vision

for Reconciliation

Council’s vision for reconciliation embraces our

whole community in the celebration of Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures,

ensures equitable access to our services and

facilities, confronts prejudice, discrimination and

racism and creates opportunities for the local

Aboriginal people and Torres Strait Islander peoples

and their Elders to fully participate in our diverse

community.

Our Business

The City of Brimbank is the third largest municipality in Melbourne, located in the Western Region about 20kms

from the central business district. It has an estimated resident population of 208,443 (ABS 2017). Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander people made up 0.4% (816) of the total population.

Brimbank City Council is responsible for managing, planning and delivering a wide range of services to residents,

businesses and visitors such as family and children services, waste and recycling collection, leisure and recreation

programs, community learning and libraries, community and sporting facilities, managing town centres,

environmental sustainability, parks and open spaces among others. The elected Councillors are the decision-making

body that sets the strategic direction for the municipality. As an employer, we employ over 1400 staff, including

casuals of which a small number are Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander (information indicates that we employ

around 5 Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

1

).

Brimbank is home to a richly diverse community with almost half of our residents born outside Australia along with

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from all parts of Australia making Brimbank their home. We therefore

acknowledge one of our key roles is to provide information and an understanding about Australia’s Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories to all our residents.

The Council also has an important role in the identification and preservation of Aboriginal cultural heritage through

our planning mechanisms and in the ongoing management of our significant cultural heritage sites.

1

Survey information is not available from all staff and it is known some Aboriginal employees have chosen not to identify

5

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan July 2019 – July 2021

Fire Element

Our Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP)

In April 2012, Brimbank City Council adopted its Reconciliation Statement of Commitment which laid the

foundation for the first Reconciliation Action Plan (2013-2017). Both the Statement of Commitment and the

RAP have contributed to our reconciliation journey. Since the development of the first RAP in 2013, Council

established the Brimbank Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consultative Committee (BATSICC) to provide advice

on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander issues and to provide advice on the ongoing implementation of Council’s

current and future RAPs. The BATSICC is chaired by a Councillor, has a majority of Aboriginal members and

attended by senior members of the Councils executive staff. The BATSICC has had a key role in the development of

this RAP.

The community consultation has included:

• Consultations with all Traditional Owner groups;

• Meetings with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stakeholder groups, organisations, networks and service

providers;

• Internal consultations with over 50 Council staff;

• Two open community meeting consultations with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community

members facilitated by an Aboriginal consultant;

• A RAP workshop with the BATSICC chaired by a Councilor;

• The draft Reconciliation Action Plan on public exhibition on Council’s online ‘Have Your Say’ community portal;

and

• A Community Yarn to provide feedback on the first draft of the RAP.

The RAP is a strategic document that outlines priority actions unique to Brimbank and guides how Council will

work with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community and Traditional Owners. Council is committed

to furthering actions and supporting reconciliation as a part of its core business and strategic aims. Building

long-term relationships based on mutual respect and trust is achieved through ongoing dialogue and meaningful

action. The development and implementation of the RAP also accords with the Council Plan 2017-2022 and the

Brimbank Community Vision 2040.

The RAP has been developed around the same time as the revised

2

which taken together form the core of the Council’s approach to working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander peoples into the future.

2

Reference to these documents on https://www.brimbank.vic.gov.au/plans-policies-and-strategies/strategies/aboriginal-cultural-heritage-strategy

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan July 2019 – July 2021

6

Air/wind Element

Reconciliation Action Plan 2013-2017

– Key Achievements

Our achievements under the Council’s first RAP 2013-2017 include:

• Signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Wurundjeri Land and Compensation Cultural Heritage

Council, who are the Registered Aboriginal Party (Traditional Owners) of the northern part of the Council area.

• Developing an Aboriginal Employment Framework aiming to increase the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander employees.

• Supporting a number of youth traineeships.

• Reviewing and updating of the Council’s Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Strategy.

• Establishment of the Brimbank Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consultative Committee (BATSICC) with

representation from the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

• Installation of Traditional Owner acknowledgement plaques on Council owned buildings such as

Neighbourhood Houses, Leisure Centres, Libraries, venues for hire and Civic Centre.

• Ongoing stakeholder relationships with State Government departments, Aboriginal Community Controlled

organisations, service providers, schools and other Councils in the region.

• Demonstrating respect to Traditional Owners cultures and histories by installing visual landmarks including a

gateway ‘Wominjeka’ flag and interpretive signage along Brimbank waterways and trails.

• Delivering Aboriginal cultural awareness training sessions to relevant staff across the Council, including an

Indigenous led tailored program for Councillors and key Managers.

• Celebration of National Reconciliation and NAIDOC Weeks and encouraging non-Aboriginal people in our

community to learn more about the rich and diverse histories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

• Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations, businesses, artists and performers by procuring

their services where possible.

• Supporting two groups of artists to be artists-in-residence for 2 years.

• Delivery of an 18 week Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership and capacity building training course and

a women’s leadership course through the Arts.

• Assisting with a report on the concept of a Community Hub or Gathering Place through consultations with the

local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.

• Funding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community projects through our community grants program.

• The hosting of a special Journey to the ‘G event (22 November) as part of the Mullagh Wills Foundation

initiative.

• Funding an Aboriginal art installation, done by local Aboriginal artists, at the new Sunvale Park.

Council is pleased to have continued our reconciliation journey through these projects and we understand much

work needs to be done. Council is committed to continued learning from our first RAP and setting achievable

targets in this Innovate RAP and building our internal capacity and skill to support reconciliation.

7

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan July 2019 – July 2021

Spirit Element

City of Brimbank - A Snapshot

There are three groups of Aboriginal people who have cultural ties to Brimbank: the Wurundjeri and the

Boonwurrung/Bunurong people, of which there are two main language groups, the Woiwurrung (Wurundjeri) and

the Boonwurrung (Bunurong Land Council and Boon Wurrung Foundation (Yaluk-ut Weelam)). Each group have

their own unique view on their history, culture and role in Aboriginal heritage.

3

While the northern part of Brimbank has been determined as Wurundjeri land (under the provisions in the

, the Wurundjeri is recognised as the Traditional Owners for this part of the Council

area) the matter of who the Traditional Owners are for the other lands in the Council area is currently being

considered.

4

With the onset of European settlement in the mid-1830s the number of Aboriginal People living in this area quickly

declined. While the pre-contact population is unknown, estimates indicate that the population of Aboriginal People

in the region declined by 50 per cent in the first four years of settlement. This decline was largely due to:

• Aboriginal People’s alienation from traditional hunting grounds,

• The degradation of the area’s natural resources,

• Diseases such as small pox, measles and influenza, and

• Violent conflict with the new settlers.

As a result of this dramatic decline there are few Aboriginal accounts of the region’s pre-colonial past. Most

information about Brimbank’s early Aboriginal population is derived from the accounts of the Europeans who

first settled in the area. Aboriginal groups chose campsites close to rivers and creeks that were used as travelling

routes and sources of food. Canoes were made from bark, and bark was also used for shields, containers and

temporary shelters. A number of trees in the area still bear marks from bark removal by Aboriginal Peoples.

Fish and eels were a large component of the Aboriginal diet, caught with spears and sophisticated traps made

from woven plant fibres and stones. Other commonly hunted animals include kangaroos, possums, bandicoots,

wombats, koalas and birds. The tuber of the yam daisy was a staple for Aboriginal People. This plant was found in

abundance on grassy plains and the banks of creeks and rivers.

Brimbank is located in a region which has a rich physical and cultural Aboriginal heritage. The municipality has about

440 registered sites of cultural heritage significance, with the oldest artefacts found to be over 30,000 years old.

The sites are listed on the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage Register, managed by Aboriginal Victoria and protected

through the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006. The artefacts include bone remnants, ochre, charcoal and hearth stones.

A small number of formal tools were also found, including blades and scrapers. Skeletal remains over 6,500 years

old from a gravesite were found in Green Gully. In addition to numerous stone and bone artefacts, scarred trees and

silcrete quarry sites have been found along the Maribyrnong River, Taylors Creek and Steele Creek.

The large number of artefacts and significant sites found within this municipality highlights the area’s long and

extensive occupation by Aboriginal Peoples before Europeans arrived. A number of Aboriginal archaeological

places are located in the Council area, including parts of the Maribyrnong River Valley including Horseshoe Bend in

Brimbank Park, Organ Pipes National Park and parts of Kororoit Creek.

3

Refer to Brimbank Council Cultural Heritage Strategy 2018 – 2023 for further information.

4

This is an ongoing process under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 2006 and the Council understands this process may take some time to resolve.

The Council will endeavour to operate in a manner that respects all parties.

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan July 2019 – July 2021

8

Population information from the 2016 census shows the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population was 816:

746 were Aboriginal people, 57 were Torres Strait Islander peoples and 13 had both heritages. The population

is 0.4% of the total Brimbank population compared with the Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

population that make up 0.7% of the total. The population has grown steadily from 490 people in 2001; at around

3.5% per year.

The Brimbank Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population shares similar characteristics to the wider Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander Victorian population in that it is younger (over half being aged under 24 years), has

higher rates of unemployment and lower labour force participation, more likely to be living in one-parent families,

and have lower rates of home ownership.

Brimbank has grown to be the third most populous municipality in Greater Melbourne with 208,443 residents and

it is also one of the most multicultural and socially diverse communities in Australia. Almost half of our residents

were born outside Australia and more than half speak a language other than English at home. Manufacturing is

still the largest employment sector in Brimbank however this is changing with the growth of retail, healthcare,

social assistance and education sectors.

Brimbank continues to be a place that attracts families. Home ownership in Brimbank is high; with almost 70

per cent of people owning or purchasing their home and 38 per cent of households are couples with children.

Brimbank has considerable pockets of disadvantage reflected by higher than average rates of unemployment and

lower than average levels of income and education. Brimbank residents also experience increased health risks

including obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and gambling.

The population of Brimbank is forecast to increase by 25,000 people to over 233,000 by 2041.

9

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan July 2019 – July 2021

NAIDOC 2018 Flag raising event Sunshine

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan July 2019 – July 2021

10

Smoking ceremony

Council understands that meaningful engagement with Traditional Owner groups, the local Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander community and other stakeholders will ensure relationships are the foundation of our reconciliation

policy framework. The Council is committed to nurturing these relationships to build a better understanding

between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other residents to lead to a more inclusive community.

1. Facilitate the

Brimbank

Reconciliation

Action Plan Working

Group (RAP Working

Group) to guide

the development

of the RAP and

to oversight the

implementation

of actions, track

progress and

reporting.

• Oversee the development, launch and

monitoring of the RAP.

August

2019

Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• RAP Working Group to meet four times a

year.

March,

June,

September

and

December

each year

Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• Build and maintain Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander representation on the RAP

Working Group

Ongoing Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

2. Continue to

participate in and

celebrate National

Reconciliation Week

(NRW) each year.

• Organise and deliver at least one internal

event for NRW each year.

May 2020

& 2021

Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• Organise in partnership with our

stakeholders at least one local event during

NRW each year.

May 2020

& 2021

Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• Support and encourage staff and local

residents to participate in the events during

NRW.

May 2020

& 2021

Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• Register all of the Council’s NRW events

on the Reconciliation Australia and

Reconciliation Victoria’s websites.

May 2020

& 2021

Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• Promote all NRW events via Council’s

communication platforms.

May 2020

& 2021

Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

and Manager Media

and Communications

11

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan July 2019 – July 2021

Water Element

3. Maintain our

relationships with

all stakeholders

working with Council

to progress our RAP.

• Continue to coordinate and support the

Brimbank Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander Consultative Committee to provide

advice to Council on all aspects of the RAP.

Meets 4

times each

year

Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• Build on our Memorandum Of Understanding

with the Wurundjeri Land Compensation

Cultural Heritage Council and work closely

with other Traditional Owner Groups.

July 2021 Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• Meet regularly with the Western Region

Local Government Reconciliation Network

and the Local Aboriginal Network.

Meets 4

times each

year

Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• Work in partnership with Western Health

and Moondani Balluk to help promote

and integrate services and employment

opportunities.

July 2021 Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

4. Use the RAP to

raise the awareness

of reconciliation

across Council,

with our external

stakeholders

and the wider

community.

• Promote reconciliation through ongoing

active engagement with all stakeholders.

July 2019 –

July 2021

Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

5. Develop new

relationships,

partnerships

and initiatives to

raise awareness

of the Aboriginal

and Torres Strait

Islander community.

• Invite Traditional Owners and/or local

Aboriginal Elders to be involved in the

Councils citizenship ceremonies.

At all

Council

citizenship

ceremonies

Manager Media and

Communications

• Encourage the formation of a local Brimbank

Community Reconciliation Group.

December

2019

Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan July 2019 – July 2021

12

Child holding Torres Strait Islander flag

Reconcilation Week 2019 Sunvale site participants

Council acknowledges that Aboriginal peoples are the Traditional Owners of the land we help govern and that

respect is built when the whole community is more aware, better understands and celebrates Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander peoples, cultures, histories and rights. Council values the knowledge and expertise of

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and seeks ways to enhance their contribution to our community.

6. Facilitate a better

understanding

of Aboriginal

and Torres Strait

Islander cultures,

histories and rights.

• Develop and implement an Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander cultural awareness

training strategy for staff which define

cultural learning needs of employees in

all areas of our business and consider

ways cultural learning can be provided

(online, face to face workshops or cultural

immersion).

August

2020

Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• Provide opportunities for RAP Working

Group members, and other key staff to

participate in cultural training.

August

2020

Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• Promote the Reconciliation Australia’s

Share Our Pride online learning tool and the

Reconciliation Victoria’s

resource website to all

staff.

Ongoing Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• Involve Traditional Owner groups in

transferring cultural knowledge to preserve

and maintain country, including assisting

with the implementation of cultural burning

practices where appropriate.

Ongoing Manager

Environment

7. Finalise and

implement

the Councils

Cultural Protocols

Framework.

• Update the Brimbank Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander Cultural Protocols Framework

and make available for all staff.

May 2020 Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• Develop a list of key contacts for organising

a Welcome to Country or Acknowledgement

to Country at significant events.

September

2019

Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• Encourage staff to include an

Acknowledgement of Country at the

commencement of all internal and external

meetings.

Ongoing Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• Include an Acknowledgment of Country

plaque when building, redeveloping or

refurbished Council buildings.

September

2020

Manager Facilities

and Major Projects

• Incorporate recognition of the Traditional

Owners in Brimbank’s parks, reserves,

waterways where possible.

June 2021 Manager Urban

Design

13

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan July 2019 – July 2021

8. Provide

opportunities for all

staff to celebrate

NAIDOC week.

• Support internal and external NAIDOC

Week community events.

July 2020 &

2021

Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy;

Manager

Communications

• Coordinate NAIDOC Week Civic Flag-raising

event.

July 2020 &

2021

Manager Media and

Communications

• Support Councillors to attend key local

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander events

and performances.

July 2020 &

2021

Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• Ensure there are no barriers to participating

and provide opportunities for all Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander staff to participate

in their culture and communities during

NAIDOC Week.

July 2020 &

202

All Managers

9. Pursue an

amendment to the

Brimbank Planning

Scheme to provide

policy guidance for

Aboriginal heritage

protection and

conservation.

• Develop a Business Case to support the

Planning Amendment.

June 2020 Manager City

Strategy

10. Enhance the

recognition and

understanding

of the Aboriginal

and Torres Strait

Islander community.

• Audit and catalogue materials and objects

about Aboriginal cultures and heritage

managed by the Council.

July 2021 Manager Community

Learning and

Participation;

Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• Develop options about using this material

for education including exploring the

potential for a Aboriginal history booklet in

Brimbank.

July 2020 Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy;

Manager Community

Learning and

Participation

• Ensure availability of books and other

resources by Aboriginal and Torres Strait

authors in the libraries.

July 2021 Manager Community

Learning and

Participation

• Continue to permanently fly the Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander flags at the

Brimbank Community and Civic Centre.

Ongoing Manager facilities and

Major Projects

• Explore the protocols for half mast flag

flying Policy and include a condolence

motion at Council meetings when a

significant Aboriginal or Torres Strait

Islander Elder passes away.

December

2019

Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• Acknowledge achievements of local

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

residents at Council meetings.

July 2021 Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan July 2019 – July 2021

14

It is important to create opportunities that build the capacity and the socio-economic status of local Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander residents to better determine their future. Council will continue to look for ways to

provide opportunities within the Council’s programs and services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

and communities through employment and professional development, economic and business opportunities,

community development and to ensure all of our programs and services are culturally safe.

11. Improve

employment

outcomes for

Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander

peoples through

recruitment,

retention and

professional

development

initiatives.

• Review and refresh the Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander Employment

Framework to enhance staff recruitment,

retention and professional development.

December

2019

Manager People and

Performance

• Continue to collect information on our

current Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander staff, and form a staff network to

inform and support future employment

opportunities.

Ongoing Manager People and

Performance

• Advertise job vacancies to effectively

reach Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

stakeholders.

Ongoing Manager People and

Performance

• Review recruitment procedures and policies

to remove any barriers to Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander participation in the

Council’s workforce.

December

2019

Manager People and

Performance

• Provide opportunities for traineeships and

work placements through developing an

online database for potential Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander trainees to nominate

their interest in working.

July 2020,

2021

Manager People and

Performance

• Offer traineeships/employment to at least

2-3 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

peoples each year.

July 2020,

2021

Manager People and

Performance

• Develop a closer partnership with

Moondani Balluk (Victoria University)

around employment, internships and work

experience opportunities.

July 2020,

2021

Manager People and

Performance

• Develop staff capability to work closely

with the community to support the ongoing

implementation of the RAP.

July 2019 Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

15

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan July 2019 – July 2021

12. Increase opportunities

to incorporate

Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander diversity

into the Council’s

procurement processes

to support improved

economic and social

outcomes.

• Review procurement policies and procedures

to facilitate procuring goods, services or works

from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

businesses.

Ongoing Manager Business

Support

• Explore opportunities within procurement

activities where evaluation requirements

could include weightings for positive social

and economic outcomes for Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islanders and/or demonstrated

links to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

businesses.

Ongoing Manager Business

Support

• Include hyperlinks on the Brimbank

Intranet to resources that provide access

to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders

business databases. Communicate to Council

departments that these links are available.

December

2019

Manager Business

Support

13. Participate in the

process of the

development

of an Aboriginal

and Torres Strait

Islander community

hub or gathering

place.

• Provide advice in the scoping of options

for an Aboriginal run community hub or

gathering place in the municipality or

region.

Ongoing Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• Support the development of an Aboriginal

community organisation to govern and

manage the community hub.

August

2020

Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• Work with the community to seek funding

and support for Aboriginal community hub.

Ongoing Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

14. Build Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander

community capacity

and leadership.

• Continue to provide an Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander community leadership

course, delivered by an Aboriginal and/or

Torres Strait Islander training organisation.

December

2020

Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• Maintain a leadership course alumni

network to promote opportunities for

further education and support.

Ongoing Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

15. Ensure all Council

programs and

services are relevant

to and accessible

for Aboriginal

and Torres Strait

Islander peoples.

• Conduct an Aboriginal cultural safety

audit for at least one service per year

and implement changes following

recommendations.

December

2019 &

2020

Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy;

Manager Community

Care

• As part of the audit process assess and

improve the quality of information on

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander

customers.

July 2021 Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy;

Manager Community

Care

• Continue to look for opportunities across

Council’s programs and projects to support

Aboriginal artists.

July 2021 Manager Community

Learning &

Participation

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan July 2019 – July 2021

16

The Council is committed to efficiently govern our work toward reconciliation and ensure we monitor our progress

effectively, report regularly on that progress and on our lessons learned. We aim to build on this experience, along

with a better understanding of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, toward reviewing progress and

refreshing our RAP in 2021.

16. Continue to support

the Brimbank

Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander

Consultative

Committee

(BATSICC) to

regularly provide

advice to Council on

matters impacting

on the Aboriginal

and Torres Strait

Islander community.

• Committee to have a schedule of a minimum

of 4 meetings per year.

Ongoing Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• Review and revise the Committee’s Terms of

reference.

September

2019

Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

17. Report RAP

achievements,

challenges and

learnings internally

and externally.

• Complete and submit the RAP Impact

Measurement Questionnaire to

Reconciliation Australia.

Annually

by 30

September

Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• Investigate participating in the RAP

Barometer.

May 2020 Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• Annual Report Cards developed and

endorsed by Council and made publically

available.

May 2020 Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

18. Improve the

collection of data

on the Aboriginal

and Torres Strait

Islander resident

population to

enhance community

planning.

• Create an Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander resident profile from the 2016

census and our own data sources.

December

2019

Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

19. Improve the

collection of data

on the Aboriginal

and Torres Strait

Islander resident

population to

enhance community

planning.

• Review the progress of all actions and

deliverables contained in the RAP.

April 2021 Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• Liaise with Reconciliation Australia to

develop a new RAP based on learnings,

challenges and achievements.

June 2021 Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

• Send the draft RAP to Reconciliation

Australia for review and feedback and for

formal endorsement.

July 2021 Manager Community

Planning & Advocacy

17

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan July 2019 – July 2021

The Five Elements, 2019

Whirlwind is the

connection between

Spirit, Air and Land

being a symbolic sign

to many Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander

people.

The Aboriginal Artwork ‘The Five Elements’ available at Sunvale Park, Sunshine. The artwork was done by Mandi

Barton and Lee-Anne Clarke who are local Aboriginal artists living in the Brimbank area. Lee-Anne has been

living and working in Brimbank for 18 years and Mandi grew up in the Western suburbs. Both women have an

understanding of the Aboriginal history of the area and have close ties with the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander community.

Bunjil our Creator

(eagle) is the

connection to our

Dreaming which

represents Spirit, Lore

and our creation stories.

The Kororoit Creek,

Taylors Creek,

Jones Creek and the

Maribyrnong River

waterways hold an

abundance of plant life;

also featured are the

Growling Grass Frong,

Bream and campfires

marking a place of

gathering for Aboriginal

people.

The slopes of Green

Gully feature the

Murnong (Yam Daisy)

a traditional bush

food, the Earth is our

Mother, it provides for

us, our connection to

her is depicted with

the yarning circles and

cultural symbols.

Fire as a portal and

source of Spiritual

connection is the

centre point of coming

together for our

storytelling, sharing of

food and corroborees as

our rites of passage are

celebrated.

Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan July 2019 – July 2021

18

9249 4000

info@brimbank.vic.gov.au

PO Box 70, Sunshine, VIC 3020

• TTY dial

133 677

• Speak & Listen

1300 555 727

•

www.relayservice.gov.au

, then enter

03 9249 4000

www.facebook.com/brimbankcouncil

www.twitter.com/brimbankcouncil

www.youtube.com/brimbankcitycouncil

9249 4000

info@brimbank.vic.gov.au

PO Box 70, Sunshine, VIC 3020

• TTY dial

133 677

• Speak & Listen

1300 555 727

•

www.relayservice.gov.au

, then enter

03 9249 4000

www.facebook.com/brimbankcouncil

www.twitter.com/brimbankcouncil

www.youtube.com/brimbankcitycouncil

Name:

Lynley Dumble

Position:

Manager, Community Planning and Advocacy

Email:

info@brimbank.vic.gov.au

212 - 0619