survival day 2013

I've been proud to be able to support Survival
Day since it's inception in 2008.

I was pleased to be able to be part of the 6th Survival Day in Belgrave, an event held to celebrate the survival of indigenous culture.

Yarra Ranges Council is proud to support this event through the festival and events community grants program and also through my community ward fund.

We are also proud to support our indigenous community through the ongoing employment of an Indigenous Community Development Officer and supporting our Indigenous Advisory Committee.




Aunty Dot Peters has long supported Survival Day,

it was terrific to see her make the journey from Healesville

for this year's event.

Our Indigenous Advisory Committee did a review late last year, thinking about our achievements over the past few years. Council has been a leader in this area as far as Local Government goes. Some of the success stories include:

• The Healesville Cultural Strengthening Project and the Choir and HipHop Programs
• The Olinda Creek Weed Control Indigenous Employment Project
• A Youth Forum
• Yarra Ranges first Reconciliation Strategy and Action Plan which is now being updated
• Developing partnerships and relationships with other organisations doing great projects
• Working with state government to provide local knowledge and advocacy on behalf of Yarra Ranges Indigenous community 

Jordan Crook is one of the organisers of Survival
Day, great to see such passion for raising community
awareness of Indigenous issues.

Council’s commitment to the Indigenous communities of Yarra Ranges is on show right now with the draft Reconciliation Policy and Action Plan, its worth a look and we’d be keen to hear your thoughts, click here for more information.

Uncle Bill Nicholson did the Welcome to Country

The Reconciliation Policy and Action Plan policy includes:

• Honouring our Elders and their place in our community
• Continuing to seek the advice of the Indigenous Advisory Committee on key matters
• Consider Indigenous perspectives, values and issues across all aspects of Council’s work to promote access, inclusion and respect
• Taking a leadership role in education processes to enhance our organisation and community understanding a an awareness of Indigenous heritage, as well as the needs of our Indigenous communities
• And encouraging participation and improving access to services, facilities and programs of Indigenous residents, such as health, employment and education.

Uncle Joey started the day with some Didgeridoo

Yarra Ranges Council is active, leading and walking with you on the journey of Reconciliation.

From little things big things have grown. Back in October, 2007 I received an email from local Natalie Walker asking for ward funding to fund a new community event Survival Day. I was pleased to be able to provide the $750 towards the very first Survival Day, 5 Survival Days on, I’m pleased to be able to continue that support today with $2,500 from my community ward fund and a $7,500 community grant from the Yarra Ranges Council. I look forward to the other tiers of government putting in similar contributions into the future.

I congratulate the organising committee, once again you’ve done a terrific job in ensuring that locally we don’t forget our Indigenous history and continue to celebrate Indigenous culture. 

Lady Lash entertained onlookers with some
hip hop

Uncle Joey kicked things off with meditation to the Didge

Aunty Dot demonstrated basket weaving at her workshop

samantha in the press - shark finning

Call for end to fin hunts
Mail Newspapers
by Mara Pattison-Sowden
1 August 2012

Yarra Ranges shark fin campaign has a bigger bite
Yarra Ranges Weekly
by Claire Thwaites
31 July 2012

Yarra Ranges Council sinks shark fin soup
Leader Newspapers
by Kimberley Seedy
31 July 2012

it's a fin free ranges

report from the roundtable - 24 jul

At this week's council meeting I moved a motion about Shark Fin Products in the Yarra Ranges. The motion came about from the advocacy efforts of Jordan Crook, Yarra Ranges Young Environmental Achiever of the Year.

I'm pleased to say that the motion was supported unanimously by councillors in what is an Australian first.

Jordan has created the advocacy group, Fin Free Ranges, to rid the Shire of Yarra Ranges of imported shark fin products, including shark fin soup.

Jordan wants to raise awareness of the plight of the world's Sharks and the impact of shark finning on the population of this apex predator, starting with the third tier of government, Yarra Ranges Council.

I've been impressed by the way Jordan has engaged with local government, he's a great young leader and his perseverance to this cause is a testament to his commitment to environmental issues.

As part of council's commitment to Fin Free Ranges we will be writing to businesses in Yarra Ranges that serve Shark Fin Soup as well as the Federal Minister for Environment, Tony Burke, to encourage banning the importation of shark fin, shark fin products and shark fin derivative products into Australia. To encourage other councils to follow suit we will also be writing to councils throughout Australia so they are aware of the issue as well as the two local government peak bodies in Victoria, the VLGA and the MAV.

I wish Jordan and Fin Free Ranges all the best in their efforts to stop the barbaric practice of Shark Finning.