Have you say on Council's Draft Reconciliation Action Plan 2024-2026

Have you say on Council's Draft Reconciliation Action Plan 2024-2026

Published on 18 July 2024

Residents are encouraged to have their say on the draft Gannawarra Reconciliation Action Plan 2024-2026, which outlines Council’s ongoing commitment to partnership work with local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Developed in partnership with the Kerang Elders and Leaders Group and supporting agencies, the document – which is the first Reconciliation Action Plan to be developed by Council - has been conditionally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia, the peak organisation in Australia overseeing reconciliation action plans.

“Council and various partner agencies have a long history of working with local Aboriginal Elders and community members on local issues, with this relationship strengthened by the establishment of the Kerang Elders and Leaders Group in 2013 and the signing of partnership agreements in 2016 and 2022,” Mayor Ross Stanton said.

“The proposed adoption of the Gannawarra Reconciliation Action Plan 2024-2026 is the next step in the reconciliation journey, as it will further support the development and strengthening of relationships, engage Council staff and stakeholders in reconciliation, and develop and pilot innovative strategies to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to be involved in decision making that impacts on their lives.

“This important document also formally acknowledges the Barapa Barapa, Wamba Wamba and Yorta Yorta peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land that encompasses the Gannawarra Shire and puts in place an action plan to continue to build on relationships, respect and future opportunities.”

Featuring local artwork, photographs and images contributed by the local Aboriginal community, the draft Gannawarra Reconciliation Action Plan 2024-2026 incorporates the theme “Walking Forward Together” and outlines the steps Council, the Kerang Elders and Leaders Group and partner agencies have undertaken so far, and actions intended to be taken in the future, as part of a shared reconciliation journey.

“Barapa Barapa Elder and local artist, Aunty Esther Kirby OAM, provided significant guidance to Council and partner agencies to help support the development of the draft document,” Mayor Stanton said.

“While Aunty Esther sadly passed away in November 2022 before seeing the fruition of this very important document, the draft plan proudly displays her artwork and stories.

“We acknowledge the legacy Aunty Esther has left for us to follow as we continue to work together to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who call Gannawarra home.

“We also acknowledge all Elders and community members, both past and present, who have been instrumental in supporting the development of the draft document.”

The draft plan outlines 22 deliverable tasks, determined in partnership with the Kerang Elders and Leaders Group, that Council and agencies will aim to achieve. These include:

Facilitating an annual Walk on Country/Yarning Circle for community leader to increase mutual understanding and build community leadership for reconciliation; Organising at least one National Reconciliation Week event each year; Holding at least one Aboriginal art exhibition annually, particularly to coincide with Reconciliation Week and NAIDOC Week; Incorporating at least one Aboriginal touring product in Council’s annual theatre production calendar; Continuing the support programs for children and young people through the established programs, Tyipen Kwe (children), Tyipen Kwe (youth), and Kethawil Pemenguuk to ensure that children and young people are culturally strong and develop a sense of belonging, cultural identity and connection; Explore opportunities for a bush tucker garden to be established in Kerang; and Commit to exploring a project that supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation in the tourism sector.

“Many of the deliverable tasks listed in the draft Gannawarra Reconciliation Action Plan 2024-2026 are already embedded in Council, such as a policy relating to the flying of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags outside our buildings, inviting a Traditional Owner or Custodian to provide a Welcome to Country at significant events each year, and holding events during National Reconciliation Week,” Mayor Stanton said.

“These tasks, as well as the deliverables identified by the Kerang Elders and Leaders Group and those set by Reconciliation Australia, will help foster strong relationships with our Aboriginal communities as we work together on our reconciliation journey.”

Feedback regarding the draft Gannawarra Reconciliation Action Plan 2024-2026 can be provided in the following ways before 5pm Thursday, 15 August:

By visiting www.gsc.vic.gov.au/rap and completing an online version of the Have Your Say form. By picking up a Have Your Say form from Council’s Customer Service Centres at Cohuna and Kerang and completing your form by 5pm Thursday, 15 August. By emailing [email protected]. By mailing Gannawarra Shire Council at PO Box 287, Kerang VIC 3579.

“All feedback received will assist in developing the final version of the Gannawarra Reconciliation Action Plan 2024-2026, which will be presented to Council for approval at a later date and submitted to Reconciliation Australia for approval,” Mayor Stanton said.

For more information regarding the draft Gannawarra Reconciliation Action Plan 2024-2026, please visit www.gsc.vic.gov.au/rap