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Innovate
Reconciliation
Action Plan
July 2019 – July 2021
Innovate
Reconciliation
Action Plan
July 2019 – July 2021
Innovate
Reconciliation
Action Plan
July 2019 – July 2021
Innovate Reconciliation
Action Plan 2019-2021 –
Extended to December 2023
Community Report Card – Summary of
Key Achievements from June 2023 to July 2024
The Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan 2019-2021 (extended to December
2023) is Council’s second Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). It was developed in
consultation with the Brimbank Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consultative
Committee, Traditional Custodians, local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
peoples. It builds on the strengths and achievements of our first Reconciliation
Action Plan 2013-2017.
The RAP outlines priority actions around key three themes:
Relationships, Respect
and
Opportunities.

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Relationships
Council builds and maintains strong,
meaningful and respectful relationships
with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
community and network groups.
;
Provided a range of “Now More Than Ever”
themed activities for National Reconciliation
Week 2024 that included:
First Nations craft activities and story time
sessions.
Cultural Stories and Performance with Uncle
Shane Charles
In partnership with the Islamic Museum
Australia council hosted 2 art workshops with
First Nations artist Aimee McCartney.
Simultaneous Film Screening- Wash My Soul in
the Rivers Flow.
;
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.
;
Hosted Brimbank Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Consultative Committee Ask Aunty/
Ask Uncle Q&A session for Council staff which
focused on Mabo Day.
;
Developed process for Brimbank City Council
work areas to engage with Traditional
Custodians and Brimbank Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Consultative Committee.
;
Hosted monthly meeting with Brimbank
Traditional Custodians, Wurundjeri Council and
quarterly meeting with Bunurong Land Council
- seeking to build relationships and provide
guidance to Council on engaging Traditional
Custodians.
;
Continued to work in partnership with local
Aboriginal organisations such as Victoria
University Moondani Balluk, Western Region
Local Government Reconciliation network, First
Nation Local Government Network.
;
Continued to work with West Melbourne
Councils and IPC Health to maintain the Deadly
Western Connections website which serves as
a meeting place for the diverse Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander peoples living in western
Melbourne, to share stories, pay respect to
Country and build community.
Key Achievements

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Key Achievements
Respect
Council demonstrates respect to the people and
culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as
a commitment towards reconciliation.
;
Council announced a local Aboriginal Elder Aunty
Jean Mason as the Brimbank Citizen of the Year
in May 2024.
;
Facilitated five Reconciliation Working Group
meetings that champions and embeds
reconciliation across Council.
;
Facilitated Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC
Week meetings in preparation of Reconciliation
Week and NAIDOC Week.
;
Continued to fly the Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander flags at the Brimbank Community and
Civic Centre.
;
Ongoing acknowledgement of Brimbank
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Consultative
Committee members meeting outcomes and
achievements at Council Meetings.
;
Developed media releases and social media
posts to help the wider Brimbank community to
learn more about Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander cultures and contribute to achieving
reconciliation in Brimbank.
Mural project honouring local Indigenous elders Aunty Joyce
and Uncle Boots Cooper
NAIDOC Week celebrations

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Key Achievements
Opportunities
Council advocates, in partnership with other
relevant stakeholders, that Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people have equal access to local
opportunities.
Cooinda, the first dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Community Centre in Brimbank
;
Continued to work with an Aboriginal cultural
advisor who is a respected Elder to provide
guidance and cultural insight into supporting
Cooinda's establishment.
;
Continues to support Cooinda set up its
governance structures.
;
Successfully recruited Cooinda Coordinator.
;
Approved a First Nations Lead designated
position. This strategic leadership position,
this strategic leadership position is an
opportunity to lead and support the
development of our brand-new First Nations
unit while supporting the implementation of
our Reconciliation Action Plan.
;
Continued to program and deliver Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander programs at the St Albans
Community Centre and Cooinda Centre.
;
Engaged Victorian-based Aboriginal-run
businesses listed on the Council’s social
procurement database available to Council
Officers.
;
Engaged Narrap (‘Country’) Team – the
Wurundjeri natural resource land management.
;
Consulted with Traditional Custodians and
Brimbank Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander
Consultative Committee to raise awareness of
what January 26 means for Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people.
;
Engaged Evolve Communities to deliver online
Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Training for
Council staff.
;
Respectfully consulted with Aboriginal Elders
and Traditional Custodians on matters related to
cultural heritage management.
Community art project at St Albans Community Centre

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169 - 0724
Brimbank City Council
Telephone
9249 4000
Email
info@brimbank.vic.gov.au
Post
PO Box 70, Sunshine, VIC 3020
Hearing or speech impaired?
• TTY dial
133 677
• Speak & Listen
1300 555 727
www.relayservice.gov.au
, then enter
03 9249 4000
Find us on Facebook, X and YouTube
www.facebook.com/brimbankcouncil
x.com/BrimbankCouncil
www.youtube.com/brimbankcitycouncil
www.brimbank.vic.gov.au
Use Brimby, the online virtual assistant
brimbank.vic.gov.au
Brimbank City Council
Telephone
9249 4000
Email
info@brimbank.vic.gov.au
Post
PO Box 70, Sunshine, VIC 3020
Hearing or speech impaired?
• TTY dial
133 677
• Speak & Listen
1300 555 727
www.relayservice.gov.au
, then enter
03 9249 4000
Find us on Facebook, X and YouTube
www.facebook.com/brimbankcouncil
x.com/BrimbankCouncil
www.youtube.com/brimbankcitycouncil
www.brimbank.vic.gov.au
Use Brimby, the online virtual assistant
brimbank.vic.gov.au