council supports constitutional recognition for indigenous peoples

report from the roundtable - 27 mar

At the last council meeting I put forward a motion to support the recommendations of the Expert Panel report into Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People. I'm pleased to report that the motion was supported unanimously by council.

Yarra Ranges Council has been a leader in supporting its Indigenous community. We have the second largest population of Indigenous peoples in metropolitan Melbourne.

The first council to deliver a statement of apology in 1997, since that time we've worked to maintain an Indigenous voice on Indigenous issues. We think it's important to acknowledge and protect Indigenous cultural heritage, engage Indigenous young people and promote health and wellbeing amongst our Indigenous community. In 2006 we employed an Indigenous Development Officer and established an Indigenous Advisory Committee to advise council on Indigenous matters.

Given our history of commitment to reconciliation and strengthening the relationship between Indigenous and non Indigenous communities I thought it would be important and appropriate for council to support Constitutional Recognition.

Prior to me bringing the motion to council I spoke to our Indigenous Advisory Committee to seek their advice on the matter. I'm pleased to report the committee were very supportive of the motion.

The motion also seeks member councils of both the local government peak bodies, the VLGA and MAV, to endorse the recommendations of the Expert Panel into Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

I look forward to seeing more local governments support this important change to our constitution.

The motion:
That Council:
1. Welcomes the release of the Expert Panel report into Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and supports all of its recommendations.
2. Write to the MAV and the VLGA, endorsing the panel recommendations and requesting the MAV and VLGA member councils also endorse these recommendations.

sorry day anniversary

Today is the fourth anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations. It is important to remember these landmark occasions, I remember the National Apology well, celebrating with my colleague Cr Jeanette McRae and community members at the live broadcast at Swinburne University, Lilydale campus.

It is important at this time to turn our minds to the discussion around the Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians. Recognition has bi-partisan support and the Federal Government has committed to referendum, however given the past success rates of referenda in this country it will be difficult to achieve.

I can only hope for a simple straightforward question that people will easily support matched with wide consultation and a well resourced education campaign.

I intend to move a motion that the Yarra Ranges Council supports Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians and have referred it to our Indigenous Advisory Committee for their comment.

The time is right for our society to support Constitutional Recognition of Indigenous Australians and bring our country into line with other nations which have long recognised their traditional owners.

our generation screening soon

As part of the lead up to Belgrave Survival Day 2011, the organisers are presenting "Our Generation", a documentary about Aboriginal land rights and the Northern Territory intervention.

The film is a roller coaster journey into the heart of Australia's Indigenous relations, a hidden shame that is pushing the world's oldest culture to the edge.












Through the story of Yolgnu of north east Arnhem Land, the film looks at the government's ongoing policies of paternalism and assimilation, examines the real issues underlying Indigenous disadvantage and opens dialogue on ways forward that respect Aboriginal culture and dignity. It's a film not to missed.

Where: Burrinja, 351 Glenfern Road, Upwey
When: Tuesday 14 December at 6:30pm
Cost: $10 or $5 concession
Bookings: Jane or Davey on 9754 6121

More details soon on Survival Day for 2011.

let's walk the mile, let's reconcile

It was great to join with community to celebrate reconciliation week last week. Speakers on the day included elders, Aunty Dot Peters and Uncle Henry Atkinson.

Aunty Dot and I at the Let's Walk the Mile, Let's Reconcile celebration in Healesville. Yarra Ranges was the first government of any tier to formally say sorry to indigenous people. We are committed and proud to stand by our indigenous community.

Uncle Henry Atkinson talked about the lack of equality for indigenous people when it came to employment, education, housing and health. He talked about the lack of fairness and equality and that there has been no compensation for the Stolen Generation.

Uncle Henry's went on to say "our ancestors didn't give up and neither should we". Compelling, as always, Uncle Henry is a strong advocate for reconciliation and indigenous rights.

Part of celebrations included the launch of the Shire's Practical Indigenous Protocols. The protocols are a practical guide for working with the indigenous community in the Shire. It has broad application and helps people gain an understanding of our Indigenous heritage and history and to acknowledge and learn how this affects us today.

The protocols talk about how to communicate and collaborate together with respect and in a culturally appropriate fashion.

Indigenous communities in Victoria continue to face intolerable inequities in health, education, employment, the provision of public services and justice. We must focus on grassroots and state-wide solutions that result in local, regional and systemic reconciliation. We must eradicate individual and institutional racism. Only with these measures we can start to address these intolerable inequities and work to true reconciliation and self determination.

I have always been a strong advocate for indigenous rights and self determination and will continue to push for reconciliation and equality for our indigenous community.

reporting back from the break

report from the roundtable – 27 Jan
thankyou to council
First meeting back for 2010 and I was pleased to report back to councillors special thanks passed on to Yarra Ranges councillors from Uncle Henry Atkinson and Aunty Dot Peters.

At Belgrave Survival Day (held 26th Jan), Uncle Henry, expressed his thanks to the Shire of Yarra Ranges council for all their support of our indigenous community, Uncle Henry wanted me to pass on those thanks. Yarra Ranges council is committed to our indigenous community and reconciliation. We employ a full time Indigenous Development Officer who works hard to deliver the shire’s Reconciliation and Action Plan and ensure ongoing dialogue and consultation with our indigenous community.

a weedy enterprise
As part of my report from delegates I reported to councillors I had received a flyer from an enterprising young person offering to behead my flowering agapanthus at a reasonable rate. The shire’s weed information was included on the flyer.

Agapanthus are one of the shire’s weed nasties and I congratulate this young person on their enterprise to make our environment a healthier one. I hope she gets a lot of takers, agapanthus are such a big problem in the shire and spread easily if flower heads are allowed to seed and proliferate.

I also reported back to councillors that my agapanthus have been beheaded, so no seed spread from me!

survival day - belgrave celebrates indigenous culture

What a great way to spend Australia Day 2008, at the Survival Day celebrations at our very own Cameo Outdoor Cinema in Belgrave.

It was terrific to see so many people in our community come out to celebrate indigenous culture and heritage. There were local musicians, bush food, but particularly special were the guests, Aunty Dot and Nigel Wilkes and his dancers. Both spoke of being aboriginal and what that means in 2008.

There is no doubt that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders have a unique relationship with the land and could teach us much about looking after the special environment we all enjoy in Australia.

As a society we need to:

- improve standards of health of indigenous people

- support indigenous young people

- protect cultural heritage

- ensure an indigenous voice is heard on indigenous issues

and

- build better relationships and partnerships between the indigenous and wider community.

Congratulations to the organisers of the event; Natalie, Davey, Jane, Jo, Erin and Anna, you all did a great job bringing this initiative to our community. I look forward to attending many more.

Congratulations to all who attended as well, there was a myriad of events you could have gone to on Australia Day. In the true spirit of reconciliation and cooperation you chose to come to Survival Day in Belgrave on what was a very hot and blustery day - well done!