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Brimbank City Council acknowledges that the land it now occupies has a

history that began with Aboriginal traditional custodians, the Kulin Nation, the

five tribes being: the Woiworung (Wurundjeri), Boon Wurrung, Taungurung,

Dja Dja Wurrung and Wathaurung. The City of Brimbank respectfully

acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we operate – the

Wurundjeri people and their elders past and present. Council wishes to

acknowledge all Traditional Owners within the Brimbank Local Government

Area and in this decision are guided by the Victorian Aboriginal Heritage

Council in their appointment of Registered Aboriginal Parties (RAPs).

The priority for Council, as stated in the Community Plan (2009 – 2030) is to

work in partnership with Traditional Owners and local Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander groups to increase equity and access to services and increase

wellbeing outcomes for the community.

On 26 February 2008, Brimbank City Council extended an apology to Stolen

Generations on behalf of the people of Brimbank City Council. This motion was

passed following the Federal Government’s apology on 13 February 2008.

Brimbank City Council recognises the past dispossession of Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander by colonisers and aims to redress injustices.

Using the Council Plan 2011-2015, the Social Justice Charter (2009), the

Community Plan (2009 – 2030) and this Statement as a foundation for the

development of a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), Council confirms its

commitment to a process of reconciliation between the Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander people and the wider community in our Council area. Brimbank

City Council renews its commitment in respecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander beliefs, values and customs.

:



Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders were the first people of this land



Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture is the oldest continuing

culture in our living history



Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures are evolving, changing

and constantly adapting to the world around them

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

Social and cultural dispossession has caused the current disadvantages

experienced by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people



Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have a life expectancy between

15 to 17 years less than other Australians



Initiatives developed on the ground by Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander people for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a

far greater likelihood of achieving ‘true’ self-determination



Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge is derived from

thousands of years of experience and is often communicated through

oral traditions and learned through family members and generations.

This knowledge helps contribute to enhanced respect for local culture,

understanding of environmental ethics and recognition of alternative

ways of teaching and learning



Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s self-determination, which

is a process where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities

have a right to freely determine their own political, economic, social

and cultural development



Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s right to a distinct status

and culture, which helps maintain and strengthen the identity, spiritual

and cultural practices of their communities



Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people’s right to land, which

provides the spiritual and cultural basis of their communities



A national Treaty that enshrines the rights of Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander people



Fly the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags on a daily basis

outside Council Chambers



Install Traditional Owner Acknowledgement plaques on the five

Council-managed Neighbourhood houses

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

Set-up a community Reconciliation Working Group and work with it to

develop a Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) by August 2012



Embark on a process of Reconciliation that is based on listening,

understanding, recognition, appreciation and the belief that solutions

are possible



Establish formal MOU’s with Registered Aboriginal Parties and local

Aboriginal community groups, including the Wurundjeri Tribe Land

Compensation Cultural Heritage Council and Kirrip Aboriginal

Corporation



Provide regular Aboriginal cultural training for Council staff, volunteers

and more broadly, the Brimbank community



Promote and value the knowledge, wisdom and culture of Aboriginal

and Torres Strait Islander people



Build collaborative and supportive relationships with Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander people

Signed 29

th

of May 2012:

Peter Lewinsky

Chair of Administrators

Meredith Sussex AM

Administrator

Joanne Anderson

Administrator

Aunty Diane Kerr

Wurundjeri Elder

Uncle Perry Wandin

Wurundjeri Elder

Aunty Alice Kolasa

Wurundjeri Elder