Conference looking for Reconciliation Action Plans

Wollongong City Council will join with Aboriginal Elders and representatives of early childhood and family support services to develop their Reconciliation Action Plans.

Wollongong City Council will join with Aboriginal Elders and representatives of early childhood and family support services to develop their Reconciliation Action Plans.

The discussions – at the UOW Innovation Campus during a two-day conference, 28-29 June – will focus on initiatives that support those people in early childhood and family support services working children and families.

A Reconciliation Action Plan for schools or early learning services helps foster knowledge and pride in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories, cultures and contributions. The conference is being coordinated by Council and has drawn participants from the Illawarra and South Coast.

It is targeted for people who work in early childhood development, family support and education.

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said: “The conference will help representatives develop skills to have a more genuine and meaningful way forward with the way they engage and communicate with our Aboriginal communities within their services.

“We’ll also be discussing practical ways we can make reconciliation real for community members as well as for organisations who work with Aboriginal peoples.

“It will also include performances by talented students from the Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts. This will help display the different cultures and talents in our local community.”

Speakers include:

Professor Paul Chandler, Pro-Vice Chancellor, Foundation Director Early Start, University of Wollongong Jade Kennedy, Lecturer, Indigenous Knowledges, University of Wollongong Aunty Lynn Stewart, Chair of the Cullunghutti Aboriginal Child and Family Centre Kirli Rae Saunders, Manager, Red Room Poetry, leading publisher of Australian poets Dr Ngiare Brown, Founding Director of Ngaoara, a not-for-profit organisation focused on Aboriginal child and adolescent wellbeing

During the conference 24 Elders from Wollongong and the Shoalhaven will share their stories in yarning circles. These circles will provide conference goers an opportunity to learn more about the Elders’ stories and backgrounds.

If you’d like to know more about the project, you can contact Council’s Customer Service Team on (02) 4227 7111.

Like this:

Like Loading...