Innovative Reconciliation

Action Plan 2019–2021

The Innovative Reconciliation Action Plan 2019 – 2021 is Council’s second

Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). It was developed in consultation with the

Brimbank Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consultative Committee,

Traditional Owners groups, local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

and builds on the strengths and achievements of our first Reconciliation

Action Plan 2013 – 2017.

The RAP outlines priority actions around key three themes:

and

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 RAP.

Council is committed to nurturing these relationships to

build a better understanding between Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander peoples and others, leading to a

more inclusive community.

Walked with 120 people as part of the “Grounded

in Truth: Walk Together with Courage” in National

Reconciliation Week 2019

Facilitated a “Welcome to Country and Walk and

Talk” with 260 students from St Augustine

Primary School

Provided a range of “In This Together” themed

activities for National Reconciliation Week 2020

• Neighbourhood Houses hosted online

children’s book readings of First Nation’s

stories by First Nations authors and the

Podcast ‘Yarning’ with local resident and

Elder Ngardarb Riches

• The Koorie Homework Club participated in

the Little Long Walk in St Albans

Hosted the Brimbank Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander Consultative Committee providing

Council with advice on Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander issues and supporting the ongoing

implementation of the RAP

Ensured a permanent Acknowledgement to

Country is on all Council emails and the Welcome

to Country is conducted at key Council events

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.

Permanent installation of the Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander flags at the Brimbank Community

and Civic Centre

Confirmed the automatic installation of plaques

recognising the Traditional Owners on all new

buildings and when older building are refurbished.

Ongoing acknowledgement of Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander resident achievements at

Ordinary Council meetings

Launched the Brimbank Cultural Heritage Strategy

(2018-2023) and trained 10 Council staff in

Cultural Heritage mapping

Installed new lighting and signage in MB Lynch

Memorial Gardens in Sunshine. This acknowledges

the use of fire by First Nations People in managing

the Australian landscape and the role MB Lynch

played as a local blacksmith.

Celebrated NAIDOC 2019 “Voice Treaty Truth” and

NAIDOC 2020 “Always Was, Always Will Be” with

a series of events honouring First Nations People

and culture.

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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.

Developed policies, procedures and processes

to guide how we work, engage and collaborate

with First Nations People in an appropriate and

respectful manner

Developed procurement policies to facilitate

procuring goods, services or works from Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander businesses; An Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander Procurement database

available is to Council Officers.

Continue developing a Brimbank City Council

employment framework for Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander people.

Engaged Narrap (‘Country’) Team – the Wurundjeri

natural resource land management organisation -

as Council’s contractor for conservation reserves

in Brimbank.

Engaged Salt Studio Consultancy, an Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander training organisation,

to deliver Community Leadership courses

and Aboriginal cultural awareness training for

Councillors and Senior Management.

Supported 10 participants to take part in the

First Nations Women’s Leadership through Art

Program. Council won the Susan Grace Benny

Women in Local Government Award following the

successfully delivery of the program by Salt Studio

Consultancy.

Selected an artist to work with the Wurundjeri

Council in the installation of Aboriginal artwork in

Council chambers.

Continued to improve our services and build

better access pathways for access. For example:

there was a significant increase in the number

of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children

accessing Maternal and Child Health Services

between 2018/19 and 2019/20.

First Nations Women’s Leadership through Art Program program by Salt Studio Consultancy.